Middlesbrough vs Dean Smith's Claret and Blue Army Post-Match Thread

[jwarry]

Boro fans do have a sense of humour...

Is your team's fancy flowing football getting in the way of what is really important - choking the life out of a game and getting 3 points?

Is the exciting flavour of penalty area action getting too much for the old ticker, and you yearn for a slower and simpler taste when it comes to your football appetite?

Are you an absolute shithouse?

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"I don't think much of it, if I'm being totally honest. It seems to just make everything worse, for me" - Britt A, Yarm

"It's not really for me" - Dean S, Birmingham

[bjfoster]

I know a lot of people have mentioned Rosenior. Also like Danny Higinbotham as co-commentator. Knows the championship well as does a lot of tactical stuff that you might not notice.

Certainly better than Don Goodman.

[Villa Lew]

Thought it was a superb team performance. But, the biggest plus was El Ghazi thought he was outstanding last night. This is a player, on past appearances, I was only expecting to be on the subs bench, but he keeps this up, he's going play a major part in our fight for promotion.

[Ads]

The pace and power we have out wide is frightening.

Bolasie and El Ghazi aren't just very quick, with quick feet and an ability to go inside or outside, with excellent delivery...they're actually big and power blokes too. Not easily knocked off the ball and pests harrying in defence.

That's what's pleasing, that we're not wide open becausebtheyre lazy wingers. They put the effort in the other way. Smith said Anwar is very smart and has absorbed a lot of tactical information this week and you could tell.

It's amazing what confidence and coaching can do. He looks lole a £10m winger.

Other things I noticed regarding Hogan. Cast your mind back to December and you may recall how isolated he was up on his own against Boro. Not necessarily his fault, but RHM showed more in his 15 minute cameo.

Yesterday Hogan instantly dropped off and got involved in link up play. I think having wide men and midfielders who hit the box helped, but he then went on a run, at pace and took on a man that created a chance.

It's only a minor thing, but it was a glimour.

[LeeB]

If Hogan gets his shit together, we've got an entire back up front line of Hogan, Kodjia and Adomah outside of last nights team that most of the rest of this division would kill for.

And that's without Keenan Davis who's just coming back from injury, a plyer I think will benefit massively from the new manager.

[JUAN PABLO]

Its nice being the Man city of the championship .

[Hookeysmith]

I actually thought SJM  and Jack were quiet today so just goes to show if they  are marked tight we can hurt teams from over the pitch.
Thought Bolasie, Conor and El Ghazi  were outstanding. Take a look at Tammys goal an absolute undefendable power cross into the box and there are 3 men to attack it.
As others have already said at times you thought they had 2 men less than us.

Cannot wait for Friday. Win or lose you know we will take the game to them.

Bring it on

[oldtimernow]

I know , I know

El Ghazi from behind had the look of Ronaldo.....

I know , Doctor send for the men in white coats

Its all this headiness that's got to me

[Ads]

I'm glad somebody else said it first.

I think it's because he's so quick and big. 6'2"! Big for a winger.

[Risso]

I know , I know

El Ghazi from behind had the look of Ronaldo.....

I know , Doctor send for the men in white coats

Its all this headiness that's got to me

Sod it, after what we've endured for years, it's nice to be handing out some proper thrashings and feeling positive.  People occasionally used to say "we're overdue giving somebody a good tonking" under Bruce, it just never looked very likely. 

[Axl Rose]

I know , I know

El Ghazi from behind had the look of Ronaldo.....

I know , Doctor send for the men in white coats

Its all this headiness that's got to me

I thought exactly the same, mate.

[Clampy]

I honestly can't remember the last time we lost up there.

[eamonn]

Haven't seen it mentioned but Chester's finish for his goal was beautiful - instinctive and graceful.
Tammy "sticking his long leg out" as Deano put it, is a majestic sight, as in the form that he's in, contact is almost certain to result in a goal.

Didn't get to see the game so just going on highlights but note that Hourihane got MotM - great to hear he was more visible and not poor off the ball as he often has been for us.

Also, Boro must have nearly conceded as many goals last night as they have all season at home? Bloody impressive for us to do that - funny how our record up there is so good yet we always play shite against them at VP. Would certainly expect that to change this season for the return game.

[john e]

never forget we owe Boro a big one for the class of 81 season

[Axl Rose]

I honestly can't remember the last time we lost up there.

Then, I think.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4088011.stm

I think that was a week after the Blues home defeat