Boro (1st) vs Rams (2nd)

[Mansfield_Ram]

My first ever thread start.

Sold out our full allocation for this. Gutted I missed out as I turned up at PP 15 minutes after being sold out :-( only wanted a single as bunch of friends are going.

Anyway, onto the match, nailed on loss. Heavy if shackall isn't playing.

 

[Rammy]

Most of my predictions are a bit tongue in cheek, but we don't stand a chance here. 2-0 defeat with Shackell, 4-0 without him.

 

[Doriva17]

As much as I do wish you didn't have a chance, you obviously do. I think you know deep down there is 0% chance of us scoring 4 against you.

Apparently Clayton is a doubt but I think this is karanka mind games which he's done in the past. If Clayton doesn't play you probably become favourites.

Shall plump for a 1-1 which isn't a bad result for either of us.

 

[Rammy]

If you saw how we defended against Leeds, that is us without Shackell. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Karanka is clearly playing mind games regarding Clayton.

Would snap your hands off for a point.

 

[Luke_1884]

Is Shackell definitely out?

We haven't conceded three in a game all year but if Shacks is out then this is probably the fixture that record might well be broken!

As much as I like Lee Grant and I do rate him, he's just not as good or reliable as Carson. To lose Carson and Shackell together is a massive blow, the two main factors of our good defensive record this year.

We went up to Hull and upset the apple cart so we've got that in our locker this year but I think this will be Boro's day.

A point all day long for me, especially with BHAFC dropping points at home and Hull currently drawing. Please.

 

[Mr Elmo]

A draw would be lovely but with the other teams around us dropping points as it seems currently a loss certainly wouldn't be the end. Glad to get this done now rather than in 4 months time.

 

[tiltontrev]

My first ever thread start.

Sold out our full allocation for this.

Really?...why has this important information not been reported anywhere else on the forum?? :hesk:

 

[TractorBoys]

Is this on the box? It's showing up on plenty of streams but couldn't find it on Sky.

 

[Dazza]

Is this on the box? It's showing up on plenty of streams but couldn't find it on Sky.

Nope not on Sky today. Thought it would have been though.

 

[TractorBoys]

I imagine it will be the football leagues feature game so should be able to get english comms and good picture quality on most of the streaming sites.

 

[Rammy]

It's been picked up abroad, but not by Sky.

 

[Luke_1884]

Anyone watching this?

Boro started better, couple of chances for them and we've just had a sniff with Ince fluffing his shot.

Boro doing a job on our two key positions so far at ST and CDM.
Stuart Downing is sticking to Thorne like glue when we're in possession.

 

[Luke_1884]

Thorne off injured, Jeff on.

Fackers.

 

[Luke_1884]

Decent move from Boro, 1-0.

Looked like the game was going to finish 0-0.

Now 2-0! Poor defending there.

 

[Rammy]

Two goals in about a minute. 2-0 Boro.

Disappointing at this late stage, but just as I expected. Boro are just a class above anything else in this league.

 

[Luke_1884]

Wouldn't say class above but they're certainly the best team in the league. Really well drilled and hard to beat, if you've got that platform to take into games every week then you'll do well. No surprise they haven't conceded in about 783 games.

Three points for Boro as expected, won't lose sleep over it. Goal is still the same and we'll hopefully continue our fine first half of the season form.

 

[Mr Elmo]

Frustrated to lose after holding for 80 minutes but that's football, we're still in a healthy position and with 3 of our next 4 being home winnable games we need to put authority into our current position without letting Hull past. Long way to go yet.

 

[Mansfield_Ram]

Thought the Boro fans were decent tbh. Good atmosphere which surprised me. Their south stand is a carbon copy of ours but less manufactured. When they scored the ground was rocking. In contrast we were quiet and nervous.

Couple of points -

Johnson - why does he feel the need to hold off a player and not pass until he's either fouled, found the pass that he wants rather than what is available or loses the ball. He's done this several times lately and it's starting to grate on me.

Thorne - looked out of sorts right from the beginning. Thought we looked better when Hendrick came on.

Our marking and closing down doesnt have any urgency. Clement doesn't seem to want to play a high pressing game which I think we needed too at the beginning of the match, like hull. This is why we just look like we are playing at such a slow pace.

Why did Marin win the toss and choose to kick towards us in the first half. Seemed a strange decision.

There were spells when we created some good opportunities but failed to deliver on a final ball. That in the end was the difference between the two teams.

We were far less outclassed than last season.

Long way to go yet and some shrewd signings come make us look more direct going forward. We miss Hughes and Bryson at the minute just to give us something different.