Thoughts, folks, please...

[LinkNR9 0]

...on individual performances yesterday?

Greeno - Could do nothing for any of the goals and his save from Greening was superb.

Eddy - Lacking confidence, I think. Not getting tight on his player when the ball is passed to the winger; Downing is the last player you want having the time to get the ball down and start running at you.

Flem - Certainly fired up yesterday! Got some good tackles in but still not convinced he''s any better than Shackell.

Doc - Won most things in the air and got some good blocks in.

Drury - His goal was fantastic to see, but the rest of his performance wasn''t. Absolutely refused to close down his player when the ball was played out to him - Parlour isn''t going to go past you with pace, but he will show his class if you stand off him.

Jonson - Lost Quedreu for his two goals. Did very litle in possession.

Mulryne - Absolutely abysmal, as was reflected in the reaction of the crowd when Jonson was subbed instead of him.

Francis - Apart from his goal, and a couple of decent tackles, he was poor. He just seemed to be going through the motions, especially when we looked well beaten. Although it''s early days, he doesn''t seem the same player since his injury.

Brennan - What he lacks in ability, he makes up for in honest endeavour. Worked hard for the team. Should be at left back (where he made his name) instead of Drury.

Ashton - Easily our best player. His hold-up play was excellent, he won loads in the air (which he actually directed to his team mates), he took players on and wasn''t afraid to shoot from anywhere. Took his goal well and thoroughly deserved to be Man of the Match.

Hucks - What can you say, he''s so frustrating!! He spent 80% of the game doing very little, but then set up all of our goals with some brilliant play! In particular, his vision to pick out Ashton and Leon for their goals was superb. 

Leon - Typical Leon performance when he came on, stirred up the Boro defence.

McVeigh - Showed the class that we know he possesses. Definitely had an effect on our performance.

Holt - Got into the pace of the game as soon as he came on. Gave us more solidity in the middle of the pitch and covered superbly; when Drury lost the ball by their corner flag, it was Holt that made the covering defensive tackle at left back when Boro counter-attacked. In addition, when he collected the ball, he actually went towards the opposition goal, which was something that Mulryne and Francis rarely did.  

The Fans - Awesome. Never stopped supporting the side all game.   

[Northern Canary 0]

i think you have got it right.

i would like a line up of

Eddy  Doc  Flem  Brennan

McVeigh Holt  Francis Huckerby

    Ashton  Mckenzie

going by yesterdays performance

[Campbell 0]

Green - Typical performance really; when he had the saves to make he made them well. Couldn''t really do much about the goals.

Edworthy - Well out of his depth at this level...if he wasn''t good enough for Wolves in the Premiership, why is he good enough for us? Was up against a flying Stuart Downing, but still...Helveg: get fit soon!

Drury: Great equaliser, but general play wasn''t so good. Gave too much time to Ray Parlour and was keen to just let Middlesbrough play rather than try and affect their attacking play. Suprising he doesn''t get stuck in more as he is a good tackler.

Fleming: One of his better games I felt. Because our midfield doesn''t know where to defend as a unit in relation to our back four, it was up to Fleming to step out of defence several times and close ''boro down...Which he did well. Distribution wasn''t so good, but did well overall.

Doherty: Can''t believe the amount of stick The Doc got before he even played a game at centre back...Has been a rock in the last few games, rarely loses a header and looks to hold a good line at the back. Well done Doherty!

Jonson: At fault for losing Quedrue at corners which cost us dear. Not one of his better games. Was too negative in his play, which is bizarre because he seems to have good pace once he gets going. Go at the full back! Influence the play Matty, you''re good enough!

Brennan: Gave us a good balance and linked well with Huckerby and sometimes Drury. Good cross for our opening goal and worked hard. Good to know we have a reliable option there.

Mulryne: Kept things ticking over without really influencing as he can. Played some great balls into Ashton, though unfortunately he doesn''t have the physical attributes to play central midfield. Did ok.

Francis: Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Used his body superbly well, and some of his turns and touches are brilliant; didn''t stamp his authority on the game like he can, but did well in general.

Ashton: Shows what difference a good centre forward can make. Most things stuck to him and was not afraid to shoot on sight...something we''ve lacked. Looked good with either foot and will only get better fitness-wise. Well done Deano!

Huckerby: Worked tirelessly and got 3 assists, much better playing up front and drifting wide...which isn''t a problem if we get Damo, Jonson and another into the box for a cross which was much better from Hucks yesterday...Keep it up!

McKenzie: Worked hard and gave it everything; goal should give him confidence.

McVeigh: Looked neat and tidy, and was busy. Layed a perfect ball for Ashton late on which forced a decent save.

Holt: Great to see Holty back. Worked hard and his passing was good; the long ball out to McVeigh was a beauty! Adds some much needed grit to our midfield.

If we can just sort out the defence, we''ll have a decent chance of staying up...Though it''s starting to look tough now, and if we don''t beat WBA, I think that''ll be it.

[Canarychick 0]

Greeno - Could do nothing for any of the goals and his save from Greening was superb

I hate to say it but I don''t think Greeno is having a good time at the moment although with such a bad defence it may not be all his fault.  As far as we know there has been no firm offer for Green from another Club and I think that speaks volumes.  Yes his save from Greening was great yesterday.

Eddy - Lacking confidence, I think. Not getting tight on his player when the ball is passed to the winger; Downing is the last player you want having the time to get the ball down and start running at you.

Agree.

Flem - Certainly fired up yesterday! Got some good tackles in but still not convinced he''s any better than Shackell.

He certainly was fired up and I thought he was going to get booked or, worse, sent off after mouthing it off at the linesman!  He is fired up and I think that shows passion which alot of them haven''t got.

Doc - Won most things in the air and got some good blocks in.

Yep agreed.

Drury - His goal was fantastic to see, but the rest of his performance wasn''t. Absolutely refused to close down his player when the ball was played out to him - Parlour isn''t going to go past you with pace, but he will show his class if you stand off him.

Definitely agreed with everything.  I will welcome Charlton back in that position.

Jonson - Lost Quedreu for his two goals. Did very litle in possession.

Yep, agreed.

Mulryne - Absolutely abysmal, as was reflected in the reaction of the crowd when Jonson was subbed instead of him.

Agreed.

Francis - Apart from his goal, and a couple of decent tackles, he was poor. He just seemed to be going through the motions, especially when we looked well beaten. Although it''s early days, he doesn''t seem the same player since his injury.

Funnily enough we were saying the same during the match.  Unfortunately he hasn''t come back the same player but hopefully, in time, he will pick up again.

Brennan - What he lacks in ability, he makes up for in honest endeavour. Worked hard for the team. Should be at left back (where he made his name) instead of Drury.

Agreed.

Ashton - Easily our best player. His hold-up play was excellent, he won loads in the air (which he actually directed to his team mates), he took players on and wasn''t afraid to shoot from anywhere. Took his goal well and thoroughly deserved to be Man of the Match.

Yes I was very impressed by the promising Ashton.  He knows where the goal is, not afraid to have a go and he took that goal very well.

Hucks - What can you say, he''s so frustrating!! He spent 80% of the game doing very little, but then set up all of our goals with some brilliant play! In particular, his vision to pick out Ashton and Leon for their goals was superb. 

A couple of times yesterday I thought he looked sluggish and felt he could have been subbed.  GOOD JOB HE WASN''T!!!!  My only criticism of him is that when he loses the ball he doesn''t fight to get it back.

Leon - Typical Leon performance when he came on, stirred up the Boro defence

Much better yesterday and I am so glad he got a goal.  He seems to play better when he comes on as sub.

McVeigh - Showed the class that we know he possesses. Definitely had an effect on our performance.

Much better from McVeigh. 

Holt - Got into the pace of the game as soon as he came on. Gave us more

[3pmkickoff 0]

I don''t know if anyone noticed but Greening left Boro in the summer for The Albion. Therefore no wonder they went 4-1 up, thwy had an extra man

[LinkNR9 0]

Oops, sorry, I meant Downing! Good spot by you, though!!

[ZLF 335]

Green - without a doubt his confidence is being affected by the shambles going on in front of him. However a good game overall with several good saves, although I did think he was a bit slow with his feet for the free kick.

Defence - Appalling with The Doc being slightly less bad than the rest; Come back Helveg and Charlie and soon. I cant say any more as it brings me to tears.

Jonson - solid enough but in a 4-4-2 does seem very defencive in open play. Poor tracking for both goals from corners, at least took some responsibility for his errors - his team mates could learn from that. Were the boos when he was substituted due to Mullers staying on or him going off? I suspect he was taken off because of the goals.

Mullers - see my comments for the defence - like them he is simply out of his depth.

Francis - still affected by his injury but still retains that knack of being in the right place at the right time for the goal. More to come!

Brennan - linked well going forward in the first half and rather unfortunate to be taken off. Provided a better balance to midfield than we have had for games - should keep his place on the left in front of the left back.

Ashton - a star in the making; oozed class after a baptism of Mellberg then Southgate. Will score at this level.

Hux - looked far more threatening up front than he has done for games, created danger as he had the ball near their 18 yd line rather than the half way line. Created all 4 goals and played well. Needs to stay up front with Ashton.

Leon - Leon does as Leon is - ran around well but looks like another player in a league to far. Good to see him score.

McVeigh - Again looked lively without really adding anything.

Holt - A vast improvement on Mullers and gave us some midfield steel. Still imited at this level but better than the current options!

OTBC

[Canarychick 0]

Quote : Green - without a doubt his confidence is being affected by the shambles going on in front of him. However a good game overall with several good saves, although I did think he was a bit slow with his feet for the free kick.

I have to say I thought he was a bit slow with the free kick too. He knew it was coming and the ball seemed to squeeze through a 10 inch gap.

I don''t like to knock as I have never saved a goal in my life!

Come on you Yellows

[Lord Flashart<P>Nursey!!! I like it firm and fruity!!!<P> 0]

[quote]Quote : Green - without a doubt his confidence is being affected by the shambles going on in front of him. However a good game overall with several good saves, although I did think he was a bit slow w...[/quote]

hmmm - don''t agree there.

that free kick was awesome and Greeno was covering his side and then had to move quick to the walls side. No one''s fault in the wall, it was justa  great free kick

[shropshire canary 0]

Forgive me but befor JFH took the free kick from our seat in the Upper Barclay I pointed out the 2 Boro players in the wall to my son, and said watch them cross over to open up space for the shot - hey presto in it went through the gap they created.

Sorry but part of the job of a professional defence is to see these things too, and part of the job of a wall is to tie in any opposition so that gaps don''t open up like that.

It was supremely struck, but our set-play defending was naive and lacking as much here as at the 2 corners.

[FilletTheFishWife . 0]

good to see some positive feedback re Brennan. I was beginning to think i was alone in my call for him to play in front of the left back. He think he strikes the right balance both defensively and offensively.

I think he was withdrawn on Saturday because a) he took a knock shortly before b) he was sacrificed as Worthy had no choice but to go 4-3-3 to try and salvage something from the game.

 

[XXL16 0]

[quote]...on individual performances yesterday? Greeno - Could do nothing for any of the goals and his save from Greening was superb. Eddy - Lacking confidence, I think. Not getting tight on his player wh...[/quote]

HI LinkNR9, thanks very much for your report of every player, I miss that all you know because I can only see the game not before on this Friday!

I was amazed with your comment with Holt, especially" when he collected the ball, he actually went towards the opposition goal, which was something that Mulryne and Francis rarely did. ", did Holt was defensive midfielder? How can he do that to attack so much?

But I mean Drury''s goal was so important, yeah maybe he was poor in this game but you know if not his goal, we were bottom now. Hopefully this goal can boost his confidence and the whole team!!!