Pre Match Middlesbrough v Leicester, Saturday 3rd August, Riverside Stadium

[cafe]

Really missing this.We do not play Chelsea for ages yet.

 

[drummindefender]

there is no reason to believe we can't play like we did at the start of last season. just need players like Marshall, Wood, Drinkwater and Knockaert to find form and confidence.

 

[Miles Away]

there is no reason to believe we can't play like we did at the start of last season. just need players like Marshall, Wood, Drinkwater and Knockaert to find form and confidence.

They'll have to get picked first.

Wood is key to it all. A fit and confident Chris Wood or the shower of shite we saw at the end of last year? Our prospects pretty much hinge on that.

 

[Fox From The Hudd]

Based on what I saw tonight and against Monaco I wouldn't risk the 3-5-2 so for me...

Kasper

De Laet
Wes
SSL
Konch

Knocky
King
James
Schlupp/Dyer

Wood
Nugent/Schlupp

 

[SwedeFox]

Making a weekend of this one, obviously not staying in Middlesbrough

Good choice, Gateshead is nice this time of year.

 

[atlantafox]

Looks pretty clear to me he is going to play 3-5-2 so would go for :-

Kasper

Morgan, SSL, Moore

RDL, James, King, Knockaert, Konchesky

Wood, Nugent (if fit) otherwise Waggy or Schlupp

Has all the makings of an epic 0-0 draw

 

[LES Fox]

It's an awkward exercise; attempting to create a plan B and a more expansive style but not having the players to play a 3-5-2 system. It's good to see that Pearson is not stubbornly clinging to 4-4-2, though switching to other, with players unable to implement it effectively, could be his downfall. it's a big question if the defensive players available are good enough to play 3 at the back (see the Falcao tap in from a simple cross and dummy), whilst the final ball from our wing-backs would be a reason for concern. MON's 3 at the back ground out results with much help from the "set piece specialists" - players this team doesn't have.

Hoping we stick with the relic of 4-4-2 for now, and look to ease into the new system - a poor start with a new formation could get ugly. It's a patience game, when the contracts of Sven's signings are up, we might be able to bring in a few players or a coach better suited to the new way. Hoping to be proved totally wrong and we get off to a flyer with 3-5-2 and stay there.

All of which has got me wondering, how many ways are there to say 3-5-2?

Looks pretty clear to me he is going to play 3-5-2 so would go for :-

Kasper

Morgan, SSL, Moore

RDL, James, King, Knockaert, Konchesky

Wood, Nugent (if fit) otherwise Waggy or Schlupp

Has all the makings of an epic 0-0 draw

 

[Hazzman]

If you want my tactics analysis, 3-5-2 is a trojan horse.

We don't have the wing backs - only De Laet fits the bill. Think back to Watford. Anya, pace to burn and a workhorse. The opposite wing Pudil who had enough technique ability to play the role. Yet the both of them are traditional wide midfielders.

Our wide midfielders are Dyer, Knockaert and Marshall. None of them have the defensive knack. So we play full-backs there which turns the formation into 5-3-2 putting more stress on the central 3 to create yet we seem recultant to use Marshall or Knockaert.

For the life of me, I can't see why we haven't use pre-season as a chance to find a free role for Knockaert and Marshall. Easily our two most creative players when in form. Marshall looks relatively wasted as a wide player and Knocky can be a bit of a risk in a 4-4-2 (often leaving De Laet very exposed).

So yeah it will be 4-4-2 on Saturday. Would prefer Waghorn over Vardy if Nugent's not fit enough for the start.

In a general thought, as much as believe pre-season is boring, shit and has no bearing on the rest of the season, I worry about the mental strength and morale of the squad. We've hardly looked lively.

I've came to the conclusion that each year the difference between the teams in the Championship is very minimal (bar possibly two or three teams of either superior quality or poorer quality each season).

What really sets the sides apart is morale, teamwork and work ethic - you have these it goes a very long way. You don't have it you won't become consistent enough to achieve promotion. Something we don't look like displaying.

Then as a lesser note, when you have bigger games and derbies you need that experience or grit. The knowledge of the occasion. When to play 'the game' and when to play with urgency. Something we don't have.

Finally, if the manager can display a little of tactical invention that can make a difference. Any surprise that Hull and Watford mastered 3-5-2 and finished in the top three?

I can see us finishing 8th-10th. Pearson to be sacked around March. It will be a season of purgatory. However, in the long-term it is a season which will help the club a very long way.

 

[Brown Nose]

Pearson to be sacked around March ... in the long-term it is a season which will help the club a very long way.

This is the only bit of your excellent analysis that I disagree with. I cannot see NP surviving that long, nor can I see any benefit in enduring the period until he's ditched. I'm interested in your assessment that this period of torment being of help to the club - what is your rationale for this?

 

[Matt_B]

This is the only bit of your excellent analysis that I disagree with. I cannot see NP surviving that long, nor can I see any benefit in enduring the period until he's ditched. I'm interested in your assessment that this period of torment being of help to the club - what is your rationale for this?

Financial

 

[Fox From The Hudd]

Financial

There is something really weird about watching a lot of extremely wealthy guys playing poorly at a crappy ground like Northampton...the football world is truly mad and completely out of touch with reality...

 

[Nottingham Fox]

Boro 1 - Leicester 4

Rooster Russell with the winner.....

 

[Hazzman]

There is something really weird about watching a lot of extremely wealthy guys playing poorly at a crappy ground like Northampton...the football world is truly mad and completely out of touch with reality...

I said last night to someone. Footballers like every other sportsmen play for themselves. If they play well, they succeed. They win trophies, they make more money and in the process probably achieve childhood goals. Thing is a pre-season friendly at Northampton holds no impact on any of that - so there's no desire to play well, it's all about keep yourself fit.

This is the only bit of your excellent analysis that I disagree with. I cannot see NP surviving that long, nor can I see any benefit in enduring the period until he's ditched. I'm interested in your assessment that this period of torment being of help to the club - what is your rationale for this?

I don't think a lot of people have analysed the impact of FFP once it gets going. Forest in particular are using their last chance at building a squad before the penalities come in. Their hope is that if they get promoted, they get just a fine which the PL TV money can absorb. Similarly if they don't, their squad will be so big that they won't need more players (except they have 8 strikers on the books, all on big wages).

Come January this year, if you fail to fall within the allocated losses you are on a transfer ban until you achieve the next target. The only example of this being enforced is Swindon last season and they fell apart in the second half of the season after a great start, they had to sell players in order to sign much needed loanees in other positions. Di Canio left due to the impact.

Now if we fast forward in a year's time, we reach the financial goals. How about have a direct advantage over a good percentage of the division? They are banned from signing players whereas you can add the freebies whose contracts have expired at other clubs, clubs where they have began releasing players to meet the FFP. We will be one year ahead of everyone else.

As for Pearson - simple as the club don't want to pay the compensation, by March when it comes to flogging season tickets for the new season...the financial balance of season ticket sales against three months left of a contract finally wins. Fans get this odd little mindset where they say ''not getting a ST until Pearson leaves''.....yet they will eventually come June. Secondarily with the start of the financial year, the encouragement for all clubs will be to sell STs as early as March.

 

[M17TT C]

72-0 to 'Boro of course and I believe we are already 14-0 down.

 

[cafe]

Nige should get you a playoff spot.Forest/Dramas to go up auto.For those visiting Boro I would suggest a detour to probable city of culture on your way home.

 

[Hazzman]

For those visiting Boro I would suggest a detour to probable city of culture on your way home.

Doncaster?

 

[RHYDAL]

Nige should get you a playoff spot.Forest/Dramas to go up auto.For those visiting Boro I would suggest a detour to probable city of culture on your way home.

I'd suggest a stop off in York, where the locals sit outside tearooms congratulating each other on the fact they don't live in Hull.

 

[cafe]

Did I mention the Capital of renewable energy industry.

 

[RHYDAL]

Did I mention the Capital of renewable energy industry.

I imagine there are parts of your town which look a bit like a scene from the Matrix. Does everything taste like chicken in Hull?

 

[FOX Franks]

I imagine there are parts of your town which look a bit like a scene from the Matrix. Does everything taste like chicken in Hull?

What about tasty wheat? You ever eat tasty wheat?