To reliant on the long ball, they worked us out 2nd half and we created barely anything, having said that at 1-1 we looked ok, however it was a stupid mistake( that even the better players make) that cost us a goal, at 2-1 we were never going to be ble to comeback as we lost all momentum,think some players out there may need to take a serious look at their performances, felt sorry for Pritchard, hopelessly overrun in midfield but still gave everything... Hoping for a better performance Saturday or I'm afraid that the board may panic...
CP is clearly out of his depth, has a range of weaknesses and is failing to learn and develop. This is not panic but a realistic assessment of the current situation, 14 games into a season when we will be in the relegation zone after the 15th.
As much as we want him to succeed CP is not up to the job. The board need to hire a Manager who is competent in this league as a first step to staying up.
1-1 we were doing okay but we had a few chances but didn't put them away and was made to pay for mistakes.
Injuries are affecting us big time and our central midfield is awful needs work on it ASAP but until Kerms and Fuller are fit and playing we just have to keep plodding along
Not sure what the question is but IMHO, Dale Stephens isn't the answer. Not making him a scapegoat for today but to me, he's just the wrong type of player for us at the moment. And it's madness if the board sack Powell. A sure fire way to book our place back in League 1.
Lose by same score v Cardiff with the inept managerial decisions and I worry Jimminez will be trigger happy. Airman said we all need to keep faith with CP whatever happens in the short term, this could be what he meant.
We actually had chances in the first half to add to our score, and about two early in the second...all before Boro's second, and a few even before their first...but we were well beaten, bad day at the office. There were individual mistakes all over the place, and we were punished. It is really not appropriate to throw in the towel however. The injury to Wilson was a real blow, and we kept Boro waiting to start the second half because maybe Chris was 'overmanaging' during half time. The players and Chris are really under pressure, and were under pressure before the game, not just dealing with the Wilson situation, but because of already having to make a late decision about Kerkar at left back. It was tough, and it was not good, but it's at times like these, with players and the management team like ours, that we need to back them up more than ever. It was easy to ride the waves of last season, now we have to see if we have deeper resolve to call on. I would play 4-5-1 on Tuesday, but whatever call Chris makes I want to back him.
sorry with all due respect what the fcuk does Airman know about football that the board don't ? The board will do what they see fit to do, that's their job and they need to and will do what's right.
We seem to have forgotten how to keep clean sheets. Start by addressing that and fix the balance of the side in January and we should be ok. We shouldn't be looking beyond that for now and hope lessons have been learned for next season. There are quite a few in the current squad who are testing their limits.
sorry with all due respect what the fcuk does Airman know about football that the board don't ? The board will do what they see fit to do, that's their job and they need to and will do what's right.
The board members know the same as any of the rest of us non-pros, maybe a little more maybe a little less, it is as you imply the football staff who know about the football. You have a lot of faith that the board will do whats 'right', lets hope that's true. However what does Airman care about the club?...a lot. What do the board care about the club?...a lot of money.
Kerkar had a decent game. Some of his crosses were too deep but not sure what you are talking about re heading the ball - he's a winger. I think you will find that Wilson has played more times out of position than Solly at left-back. Sometimes you have to accept you we're beaten by a better side and stop looking for scapegoats.
It was a straight 4-4-2 v 4-4-2 until CP changed it to 3-5-2, to chase the game. While it was 4-4-2 we lost the majority of individual battles. We are asking League One standard players to compete against Premier League & Championship standard players. Unless there is an improvement in the quality of player, especially in midfield, we are going to struggle. Mowbray is too good a manager not to spot that we had a makeshift left back, we have two right footed centre backs and played a central defender in midfield. Boro simply adjusted their tactics at half time and killed us on the counter attack.
CP was brave to go 3-5-2 at 1-3 to chase the game. That's a real gamble that could have resulted in a more embarrassing score line.
Bottom line is we are carrying players who are struggling at this level. We need to strengthen in Central Midfield in particular. Boro had two solid central midfielders in Leadbetter & McEachran, who dictated the play. Most games are won and lost in midfield.
We had enough chances to be clearly ahead at half time, but we blew them. I'm glad Hulse scored, I was hoping it would give him some confidence, but after that 2nd half I'm not holding my breath. He seems to want two touches to control everything; by then the moment has gone.
The biggest problem for me though was moving Pritchard from the centre to the wing. He was our best player in the first half and nowhere to be seen in the second. Was Wilson injured - I wondered what prompted this change around so early?
Thought Dervite played ok. That's about the best I can say.
I thought there were 2 very poor decisions by SCP today. Should never have started Dervite in a midfield 4. Stephens is our best footballer and should have started. Then faced with Wilson injury the decision not to bring Green on was very strange. Not sure what the idea was behind the Cook substitution. We are not getting any luck at the moment and created plenty of chances but the defence which has been pretty solid for over a season now looked very accident prone. We need Wiggins back soon and Kermy and Fuller too. Need a big response on Tuesday
It was a straight 4-4-2 v 4-4-2 until CP changed it to 3-5-2, to chase the game. While it was 4-4-2 we lost the majority of individual battles. We are asking League One standard players to compete against Premier League & Championship standard players. Unless there is an improvement in the quality of player, especially in midfield, we are going to struggle. Mowbray is too good a manager not to spot that we had a makeshift left back, we have two right footed centre backs and played a central defender in midfield. Boro simply adjusted their tactics at half time and killed us on the counter attack.
CP was brave to go 3-5-2 at 1-3 to chase the game. That's a real gamble that could have resulted in a more embarrassing score line.
Bottom line is we are carrying players who are struggling at this level. We need to strengthen in Central Midfield in particular. Boro had two solid central midfielders in Leadbetter & McEachran, who dictated the play. Most games are won and lost in midfield.
Don't disagree, but brave is one word, suicidal is another. As I noted above, CP went 3-5-2 at 1-2 and after only 52 minutes. The third goal, scored after only 62 minutes, was the direct result of Morrison and Cort being too far apart. Powell clearly had an unfortunate rush of blood to the head. His substitutions then created even more confusion amongst his players and, as we've both said, it could have been much worse than 4-1. A very bad day at the office.
I thought there were 2 very poor decisions by SCP today. Should never have started Dervite in a midfield 4. Stephens is our best footballer and should have started. Then faced with Wilson injury the decision not to bring Green on was very strange. Not sure what the idea was behind the Cook substitution. We are not getting any luck at the moment and created plenty of chances but the defence which has been pretty solid for over a season now looked very accident prone. We need Wiggins back soon and Kermy and Fuller too. Need a big response on Tuesday
I'm not wishing to start a row here, this is a genuine question: what exactly does Stephens offer? And before answering, consider how many assists he has this season. As I say, not kicking off just interested in others views of him. To me he's lightweight, careless in possession and doesn't create much.
sorry with all due respect what the fcuk does Airman know about football that the board don't ? The board will do what they see fit to do, that's their job and they need to and will do what's right.
The only difference between Airman (or you for that matter Steve), and TJ, is that TJ is considerably richer. He made his money in speculative property development. As far as I am aware his only previous experience in football management was a position at Newcastle that wasn't very clear, and was certainly not successful, and some small Spanish club. When it comes to being chairman of a major English football club, TJ is a novice. Which is OK if he stays calm and rational.
4-1 was harsh but I think Powell handed the initiative to Boro with the half time sub. Pritchard and Devite handled them first half and for the first time in a 4 it looked like we had a competitive midfield. Then with one sub he made two changes and it all unravelled.
Put Stephens ahead of DD and BP, then you've got something. Let's hope 451 on Tuesday and hope we don't throw in quite as many errors.
The main difference for me between the two teams was clinical finishing. The last three goals were all down to individual errors by Charlton players, but every time a Boro player jumped on the chance instantly and buried it in the net a few moments later. Charlton on the other hand huffed and puffed and passed and crossed with more effort than quality and any chances that did appear were wasted. What we really need is composure, I think. Players kept panicking on the ball, which lead to errors, which lead to panic which... etc. A think today at least leadership from the management went missing which is a disappointment because IMHO (one of) Powell's single greatest qualities as a manager is leading/motivating a team.
I thought that Middlesborough passed the ball better and had better individual quality but Charlton's formation was good, and the balance of the team was OK. Solly and WIlson, looked well together and I think has the makings of a really good partnership. Great strike for Hulse for the first goal and if only his heading was as good, he could have had a hatrick. Kerlar at left back worked OK. Despite Boro looking better as a team, Charlton could have been 2-1 up.
Wilson going off, was a real shame and Chris Powell made a tactical error in pushing Bradley Pritchard to the right wing, and bringing on Dale Stephens. This combination does not work. There was no pace on either wings and the midfield was over run.
The second goal was a terrible error, better quality up front from Middlesborough meant they took their chances.
Putting Cook on the right, bringing Pritchard inside and taking Cort off was a disaster, and the team looked all over the place. Kerkar looked utterly confused at left back / midfield. It was a shambles.
The injuries of KMG, Wiggins, Fuller, Evina, and now Wilson could not have come at the worst time.
I hope that when they make it back that, that the team will be much stronger. Charlton will struggle until then and the pulled investment / lack of investment has exposed the bare bones of the squad. CP made mistakes at half time tactically but it with the loss of WIlson it was going to be difficult. Until some of injured players come back, I will be happy with 451 / 4141.
Jimensz, Slater, Protheroe, mysterons (if they are still around) would be better advised to look for some investment, in which the quality of the team can be improved, rather than be tempted to scheme to lay the blame at CPs door for the bare bones, with which he has to work with.
I thought in the first half it was a good game and we edged it especially with opportunities to score. Pritchard, Dervite and Wilson were playing really well together IMO, especially Dervite in front of the back four. Hulse's finish was awesome. We had plenty of opportunities to score, not sure how Pritchard missed that header, unless it was slightly too far back to move his head round, but i honestly thought we were doing well.
However in the second half everything went to pot. Losing Wilson was a huge loss. You know me i am by no means a Wilson fan, but he looked good out there today and i was genuinely gutted when he pulled up injured. But when he went off why on earth does Powell not realize Pritchard is not a wide player. He doesn't have the pace for a winger and looks uncomfortable out there. We and Powell need to remember 2 years ago he was playing non-league and asking him to play out of position is not fair on him. Leave him where he is comfortable and effective. Also why move everyone about to make way for one substitution? Straight swap of Wilson for Green/Haynes would have kept the balance. I'm not sure what happened but Stephens coming in seemed to unease Jackson and Dervite and the midfield were all of a sudden wide open. Although Stephens put in a couple of great tackles we just spread out too much and got caught out. Then the lumping the ball straight down the middle started. Not good.
We still had a couple of opportunities to score, but Boro had i think i counted about 6 decent chances and scored from 4 of them. That was the difference today. Had we finished off better in the first half we would have seen a much different game. Once the second goal went in we really lost the plot. We still tried but in the end Boro were so much stronger than us and as the game went it showed more and more.
Disappointed, but I hung around at the end to clap the players off. They tried hard, but at the end of the day for all their effort we were simply not good enough in the second half. Whether thats down to tactics, players, manager or all 3 i don't know. Its just not falling for us.
Schoolboy defending against an average Boro Side that had two Carthorses as Centre halfs. If i was Powell, i would be very concerned about his employment!
so much I want to say, but just about to have my dinner (curry & beer) so I'm going to keep it short............
Although I hate to see managers losing their jobs just because they drop into the bottom 3, unless CP turns this mess around FAST then i'm afraid he has to go. I know he hasn't been helped bt injuries BUT you don't play your attacking left winger (Kerkar) at left back and the refuse to put on your only other creative player (Green) - Cp must really dislike Green as he tried playing everyone else , starting with Wilson, then Pritchard and the Cook, wide right when he has the perfect player sitting on the bench.
The other 2 pet moans of mine( the midfield & lack of goals) both showed today why we are going down.............how on earth can you start a game with Devite& Pritchard in centre midfield & hope to win anything is beyond me. Pritchard started well and even created our goal, but then missed a sitter and spent the 2nd half chasing their players - he is still living off the Fulham game almost a year after it finished and he is getting worse. As for scoring goals - just show the players a dvd of todays game as 'Boro showed how to do it.
haven't checked yet but I think we are now the lowest goal scorers in the league - even Millwall can score more than 2 in a game.
Any thoughts on Wilsons injury. Anyone who did not see, he was treated and went back on the pitch for injury time in the first half but was completely immobile. I know nothing about medicine so this is complete rubbish, ut it looked like he could have done knee ligaments, hopefully not as it would mean months out
Well Prague let's hope we all stay calm, and that includes Chris Powell because he didn't today at 2-1 down after 52 minutes he made a rash decision that changed the game in Boro's favour.One point though peeps we have just lost to a top of the table team, who depsite many peoples opinions I felt controlled the game apart from the first 15mins.
Comments
Injuries are affecting us big time and our central midfield is awful needs work on it ASAP but until Kerms and Fuller are fit and playing we just have to keep plodding along
And it's madness if the board sack Powell.
A sure fire way to book our place back in League 1.
There were individual mistakes all over the place, and we were punished. It is really not appropriate to throw in the towel however.
The injury to Wilson was a real blow, and we kept Boro waiting to start the second half because maybe Chris was 'overmanaging' during half time. The players and Chris are really under pressure, and were under pressure before the game, not just dealing with the Wilson situation, but because of already having to make a late decision about Kerkar at left back.
It was tough, and it was not good, but it's at times like these, with players and the management team like ours, that we need to back them up more than ever. It was easy to ride the waves of last season, now we have to see if we have deeper resolve to call on.
I would play 4-5-1 on Tuesday, but whatever call Chris makes I want to back him.
You have a lot of faith that the board will do whats 'right', lets hope that's true. However what does Airman care about the club?...a lot. What do the board care about the club?...a lot of money.
CP was brave to go 3-5-2 at 1-3 to chase the game. That's a real gamble that could have resulted in a more embarrassing score line.
Bottom line is we are carrying players who are struggling at this level. We need to strengthen in Central Midfield in particular. Boro had two solid central midfielders in Leadbetter & McEachran, who dictated the play. Most games are won and lost in midfield.
Also it ends an 82 match run of not losing from a winning position.
But on thing those facts don't tell you about todays game is the fact we were shite.
The biggest problem for me though was moving Pritchard from the centre to the wing. He was our best player in the first half and nowhere to be seen in the second. Was Wilson injured - I wondered what prompted this change around so early?
Thought Dervite played ok. That's about the best I can say.
We are not getting any luck at the moment and created plenty of chances but the defence which has been pretty solid for over a season now looked very accident prone. We need Wiggins back soon and Kermy and Fuller too. Need a big response on Tuesday
Put Stephens ahead of DD and BP, then you've got something. Let's hope 451 on Tuesday and hope we don't throw in quite as many errors.
Wilson going off, was a real shame and Chris Powell made a tactical error in pushing Bradley Pritchard to the right wing, and bringing on Dale Stephens. This combination does not work. There was no pace on either wings and the midfield was over run.
The second goal was a terrible error, better quality up front from Middlesborough meant they took their chances.
Putting Cook on the right, bringing Pritchard inside and taking Cort off was a disaster, and the team looked all over the place. Kerkar looked utterly confused at left back / midfield. It was a shambles.
The injuries of KMG, Wiggins, Fuller, Evina, and now Wilson could not have come at the worst time.
I hope that when they make it back that, that the team will be much stronger. Charlton will struggle until then and the pulled investment / lack of investment has exposed the bare bones of the squad. CP made mistakes at half time tactically but it with the loss of WIlson it was going to be difficult. Until some of injured players come back, I will be happy with 451 / 4141.
Jimensz, Slater, Protheroe, mysterons (if they are still around) would be better advised to look for some investment, in which the quality of the team can be improved, rather than be tempted to scheme to lay the blame at CPs door for the bare bones, with which he has to work with.
However in the second half everything went to pot. Losing Wilson was a huge loss. You know me i am by no means a Wilson fan, but he looked good out there today and i was genuinely gutted when he pulled up injured. But when he went off why on earth does Powell not realize Pritchard is not a wide player. He doesn't have the pace for a winger and looks uncomfortable out there. We and Powell need to remember 2 years ago he was playing non-league and asking him to play out of position is not fair on him. Leave him where he is comfortable and effective. Also why move everyone about to make way for one substitution? Straight swap of Wilson for Green/Haynes would have kept the balance. I'm not sure what happened but Stephens coming in seemed to unease Jackson and Dervite and the midfield were all of a sudden wide open. Although Stephens put in a couple of great tackles we just spread out too much and got caught out. Then the lumping the ball straight down the middle started. Not good.
We still had a couple of opportunities to score, but Boro had i think i counted about 6 decent chances and scored from 4 of them. That was the difference today. Had we finished off better in the first half we would have seen a much different game. Once the second goal went in we really lost the plot. We still tried but in the end Boro were so much stronger than us and as the game went it showed more and more.
Disappointed, but I hung around at the end to clap the players off. They tried hard, but at the end of the day for all their effort we were simply not good enough in the second half. Whether thats down to tactics, players, manager or all 3 i don't know. Its just not falling for us.
Hope we practice finishing before Tuesday.
Although I hate to see managers losing their jobs just because they drop into the bottom 3, unless CP turns this mess around FAST then i'm afraid he has to go. I know he hasn't been helped bt injuries BUT you don't play your attacking left winger (Kerkar) at left back and the refuse to put on your only other creative player (Green) - Cp must really dislike Green as he tried playing everyone else , starting with Wilson, then Pritchard and the Cook, wide right when he has the perfect player sitting on the bench.
The other 2 pet moans of mine( the midfield & lack of goals) both showed today why we are going down.............how on earth can you start a game with Devite& Pritchard in centre midfield & hope to win anything is beyond me. Pritchard started well and even created our goal, but then missed a sitter and spent the 2nd half chasing their players - he is still living off the Fulham game almost a year after it finished and he is getting worse. As for scoring goals - just show the players a dvd of todays game as 'Boro showed how to do it.
haven't checked yet but I think we are now the lowest goal scorers in the league - even Millwall can score more than 2 in a game.