07/08/2009 - Middlesborough v. Sheffield United
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Haha... welcome to the forum :hello:
And you have to have a beer, because there is no way you can watch the Blades sober!
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H. Metal Blade
Member
Think it will be a 2-2 draw. I think our defense will be a bit shakey still and they wont've had time to adapt to the "friendly" nature of our Chapionship style!
I think Blackie's been very media smart. Boro must have no idea who will be starting die to all the releases about "fitness" and such...
I expect Evans will start and get a good 60-70min on before Sharp gets put on...or Hendo more likely if the rumours of Sharp to Doncaster are true...
I think Blackie's been very media smart. Boro must have no idea who will be starting die to all the releases about "fitness" and such...
I expect Evans will start and get a good 60-70min on before Sharp gets put on...or Hendo more likely if the rumours of Sharp to Doncaster are true...
KL Blade
New Member
The match kicks-off at 3am Saturday morning my local time but I won't be watching because ESPN only bought Premier League football :cry:
Anyway, here's my prediction of starting 11 and by shirt numbers too
Formation: 4-4-1-1
1 Blackwell
4 Montgomery
5 Morgan
6 Kilgallon
9 Evans
10 Reid
11 Cotterill
16 Taylor
20 Howard
21 Bromby
25 Little
Subs: Bennett, Walker, France, Treacy, Hendrie, Henderson, Ward.
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/Gaffersnotes/0,,10418~1745516,00.html
Blackie can't decide whether to go with Bunn or Bennett in goal so he decides to lead by example and go in between the sticks himself
Anyway, here's my prediction of starting 11 and by shirt numbers too
Formation: 4-4-1-1
1 Blackwell
4 Montgomery
5 Morgan
6 Kilgallon
9 Evans
10 Reid
11 Cotterill
16 Taylor
20 Howard
21 Bromby
25 Little
Subs: Bennett, Walker, France, Treacy, Hendrie, Henderson, Ward.
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/Gaffersnotes/0,,10418~1745516,00.html
Blackie can't decide whether to go with Bunn or Bennett in goal so he decides to lead by example and go in between the sticks himself
mickerz-blade
Member
I may as well just put the website link of the team news on instead of me typing it all out.
So here it is:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8185178.stm
I thought he wasn't 100% match fit.
So here it is:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8185178.stm
I thought he wasn't 100% match fit.
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- #36
I think at 20% match fit we'd still be playing him!
Setting off from Sheffield at dinner time and like I mentioned earlier, we'll be in the Doctor Browns pub.
Greasy Chip Butty
Well-Known Member
Don't forget we played Lupoli when he wasn't 100% match fit, so i can see something like this happening again with Hendo coming on for Ched.
Also good to see we're picking players based on numbers now
Also good to see we're picking players based on numbers now
I may as well just put the website link of the team news on instead of me typing it all out.
So here it is:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8185178.stm
I thought he wasn't 100% match fit.
Aye, I'd heard he was a few weeks off match fit. Obviously we have a dearth of options upfront though so I guess we have to play him.
- Admin
- #43
Glad you said that
We'll be off around dinner time but it looks like there's been an accident on Parkway/M1 so hopefully that won't cause problems.
I hope everyone's got their noisy heads on... it was far too quiet at times last season! :thumbdown:
mickerz-blade
Member
Got some team news here:
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/Previews/0,,10418~1745921,00.html
I think it's good that Blackwell's keeping it all quiet for tonight, and not giving much away of who the team is.
And with the lack of forwards available Billy Sharp might play.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/football/Truce-bid--for-Sharp.5533265.jp
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/Previews/0,,10418~1745921,00.html
I think it's good that Blackwell's keeping it all quiet for tonight, and not giving much away of who the team is.
And with the lack of forwards available Billy Sharp might play.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/football/Truce-bid--for-Sharp.5533265.jp
BuryStEdmundsBlade
Active Member
Good Luck Blades!
eckington_blade
New Member
they looked o.k. for 1st half
Northyorksblade
Well-Known Member
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- Messages
- 7,546
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- 8,260
Started really well, then Borough have come into it more last twenty. Some nice one touch football at times. Hope O'Neill isn't there to look at Killa. 
Ref letting it flow so far. Come on lads!!!!
Ref letting it flow so far. Come on lads!!!!
Which Match did they watch? http://comeonboro.com/programme/shefuh/001010.php
Boro kicked off the 2009-10 season with a mission - to achieve promotion and undo everything that was wrong about last season.
Danny Coyne and Mark Yeates both made debuts for the Boro, in goal and midfield respectively. The trusty central defensive partnership of David Wheater and Robert Huth, who was captain, was flanked by Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds.
Adam "Jinky" Johnson played on the left of midfield, with Didier Digard partnering Rhys Williams in the centre.
Up front, Jeremie Aliadiere partnered Marvin Emnes. New striker Leroy Lita was on the bench due to not being match fit.
Coyne, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Grounds, Yeates, Williams, Digard (O'Neil 40), Johnson, Aliadiere, Emnes (Lita, 65), Steele, Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks
THE FIRST HALF
A minute's applause celebrated the life of Sir Bobby Robson who sadly passed away last week. It was an impeccably observed tribute to a great man.
The first shot of the game came through Sheffield United but debutant Danny Coyne came to Boro's rescue with a spectacular save. Keith Treacy had reacted quickest to a David Wheater clearing header but the goalkeeper was up to it.
The game was frenetic, with mistakes coming from both sides. Both sides won a corner through some dodgy defensive dilemmas and from Boro's short corner, which was won from a Jinky Johnson jink, the Blades broke and were one pass away from breaking the deadlock.
In the sixth minute, Emnes set up Aliadiere from the left but the Frenchman couldn't get enough of a connection on the ball and the chance went begging.
It took another six minutes for the next bout of meaningful action, as the game had calmed down somewhat, as had the crowd. In the twelfth minute, Stephen Quinn had a shot from the edge of the box that cannoned off Huth and, erm, out for a goal kick.
Shoddy defending from the Boro almost gave the Blades a sniff in the eighteenth minute following a corner for the away side. The lessons from last season quite clearly hadn't been learned as this was the second time the Boro had issues clearing from a set piece.
However, Boro managed to get hold of the ball and the pace of Johnson and Emnes allowed a swift break, that eventually ended in the Dutchman's obstruction. The foul was not given.
A mistake between Chris Morgan and Mark Bunn almost allowed Boro in, in the twenty-second minute, but they managed to clear. However, the ball eventually fell to Yeates after some tenacious tackling and hard play from Aliadiere and Emnes. The former Colchester man tried a long range spectacular shot that drew an equally high-class save from Bunn. Nothing came from the corner apart from a skermish.
Yeates was endearing himself to the fans by being everywhere. He was peppering the goal with shots from everywhere and he was getting stuck in to the action. A goal would cap a perfect debut.
The game was fast and furious again - a bit like Tokyo Drift without the sushi - as Yeates crossed the ball into the Blades box. Chris Morgan made a clearance for a corner, and from it, Wheater attempted a header that sailed high and proud over the bar.
A couple of minutes later, Didier Digard had a shot from distance that was blocked by Morgan.
Boro had shown more work ethic in the first half hour of this game than they had done in all of last season. However, the next shot came because Huth couldn't handle Darius Henderson. He got the ball out to Quinn, who launched a shot towards Coyne from eighteen yards. The shot was at a good height for the Boro keeper and he made the save.
Ryan France took a corner for the Blades in the thirty-fifth minute but Huth managed to clear. Another corner ensued, from which Wheater cleared before Morgan had another shot at goal.
Soon afterwards, good play between Aliadiere and Yeates almost gave Boro a two-on-one but a pass that was too long scuppered that opportunity. Adam Johnson had a cross-cum-shot on thirty-nine but Mark Bunn comfortably collected.
The bad news for Boro started in the fortieth minute after Didier Digard became injured, again. It was a groin injury this time - another joke. Gary O'Neil, who may be going for a hernia operation next week, came on to replace him. You couldn't make it up.
A shot from Boro's man of mystery, Mark Yeates, was blocked by Matthew Kilgallon and this was the last action of the first forty-five, with the half petering out to nothingness. A smattering of applause greeted the sides as they left the field after a combative and bruising encounter thus far.
THE SECOND HALF
In the early stages of the second half, a great ball from Huth allowed Johnson to get in behind the full-back. The defender caught the winger and he went down in the box. No penalty was given, despite the protests of the crowd. Marvin Emnes then launched a rasping shot at goal that went wide.
In the fiftieth minute, Yeates launched a shot from the inside of the penalty area that narrowly sailed over the crossbar. He had opened his body out well, but sadly his effort was a little wayward.
Two minutes later, Brian Howard struck a shot towards Danny Coyne but he made the save. Three minutes later and at the other end, Rhys Williams had a shot that drifted wide.
Shortly after the hour mark, it was substitution time as David Cotterill replaced Keith Treacy for the visitors. This did little to dampen Boro's zest though and when Mark Yeates tried to win a ball with a high foot, the crowd howled their derision as the momentum of the home side had been halted.
However, this point allowed Leroy Lita to make his Boro debut, replacing Marvin Emnes.
The Blades had the next shot on goal, with Stephen Quinn getting a shot in. Gary O'Neil made the block. This prompted Blades manager Kevin Blackwell into action, bringing on Ched Evans to play alongside Henderson. He was quite clearly going for the win, having two big frontmen up front and a tight midfield playing behind.
An in-swinging corner from Cotterill forced Coyne to come out and collect. Soon afterwards, Quinn had a shot from distance that skimmed past the left-hand post.
The Boro were stronger, fitter and more committed than the Blades but, like last season, they were toothless up front. In fact, United were having the better of the shots, although, in reality, neither side had really gone close this half. Come to think of it, the Boro had had only one shot on target all game thus far.
The game was threatening to dribble into a somewhat lifeless affair as Boro entered the period of a tie when they enjoy conceding. However, in the eightieth minute, Johnson received the ball on his right foot and, after beating the defender and whipping the ball into the box with his left, Lita narrowly missed connecting to the globe.
Boro's battling qualities were commendable but the Blades were not really being threatened. In fact, the paucity of goal-mouth action was concerning. As if prophesised, Tony McMahon wasted an opportunity on eighty-two by trying a long-range effort that was scuffed.
On eighty-seven, Yeates darted towards the Blades box and launched a dangerous ball in that general direction. The sphere drifted out but the Boro still came again.
On the stroke of full-time, Henderson crusaded his way towards the Boro box but Wheater managed to clear. But the Blades came again, before the Boro won a weak free kick.
And that was the final action of the game. Boro opened their Championship campaign with a draw at home and, from the vociferous boos that went around the ground, quite clearly the Boro faithful didn't think that that was enough. With only one shot on target all game, you couldn't blame them.
We were the better team throughout but with no end product, it was very much like groundhog day as the deficiencies from last season were still evident. In fact, it looked like we hadn't progressed at all from the dismal effort of last time around.
The Boro were strong and competitive, which at least is an improvement. Mark Yeates impressed on his debut - his tenacity was something that we missed so much last season.
However, unless something can be done about the weak front line, then Boro will be in the Championship for a long time to come.
I imagine Gareth Southgate will be frustrated with this effort as Boro, once again, were so near yet so far. Perhaps he may be a little angry after the denial of a clear cut penalty at the start of the second half. It's fair to say, that the dugouts are probably like a cauldron of Crosse & Blackwell.
Man Of The Match: Mark Yeates. An impressive debut for the former Colchester man who added much needed bite and creativity in midfield. It's a shame his end product was a little lacking whereas it was sad that the product of the strikeforce was lacking completely.
Boro kicked off the 2009-10 season with a mission - to achieve promotion and undo everything that was wrong about last season.
Danny Coyne and Mark Yeates both made debuts for the Boro, in goal and midfield respectively. The trusty central defensive partnership of David Wheater and Robert Huth, who was captain, was flanked by Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds.
Adam "Jinky" Johnson played on the left of midfield, with Didier Digard partnering Rhys Williams in the centre.
Up front, Jeremie Aliadiere partnered Marvin Emnes. New striker Leroy Lita was on the bench due to not being match fit.
Coyne, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Grounds, Yeates, Williams, Digard (O'Neil 40), Johnson, Aliadiere, Emnes (Lita, 65), Steele, Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks
THE FIRST HALF
A minute's applause celebrated the life of Sir Bobby Robson who sadly passed away last week. It was an impeccably observed tribute to a great man.
The first shot of the game came through Sheffield United but debutant Danny Coyne came to Boro's rescue with a spectacular save. Keith Treacy had reacted quickest to a David Wheater clearing header but the goalkeeper was up to it.
The game was frenetic, with mistakes coming from both sides. Both sides won a corner through some dodgy defensive dilemmas and from Boro's short corner, which was won from a Jinky Johnson jink, the Blades broke and were one pass away from breaking the deadlock.
In the sixth minute, Emnes set up Aliadiere from the left but the Frenchman couldn't get enough of a connection on the ball and the chance went begging.
It took another six minutes for the next bout of meaningful action, as the game had calmed down somewhat, as had the crowd. In the twelfth minute, Stephen Quinn had a shot from the edge of the box that cannoned off Huth and, erm, out for a goal kick.
Shoddy defending from the Boro almost gave the Blades a sniff in the eighteenth minute following a corner for the away side. The lessons from last season quite clearly hadn't been learned as this was the second time the Boro had issues clearing from a set piece.
However, Boro managed to get hold of the ball and the pace of Johnson and Emnes allowed a swift break, that eventually ended in the Dutchman's obstruction. The foul was not given.
A mistake between Chris Morgan and Mark Bunn almost allowed Boro in, in the twenty-second minute, but they managed to clear. However, the ball eventually fell to Yeates after some tenacious tackling and hard play from Aliadiere and Emnes. The former Colchester man tried a long range spectacular shot that drew an equally high-class save from Bunn. Nothing came from the corner apart from a skermish.
Yeates was endearing himself to the fans by being everywhere. He was peppering the goal with shots from everywhere and he was getting stuck in to the action. A goal would cap a perfect debut.
The game was fast and furious again - a bit like Tokyo Drift without the sushi - as Yeates crossed the ball into the Blades box. Chris Morgan made a clearance for a corner, and from it, Wheater attempted a header that sailed high and proud over the bar.
A couple of minutes later, Didier Digard had a shot from distance that was blocked by Morgan.
Boro had shown more work ethic in the first half hour of this game than they had done in all of last season. However, the next shot came because Huth couldn't handle Darius Henderson. He got the ball out to Quinn, who launched a shot towards Coyne from eighteen yards. The shot was at a good height for the Boro keeper and he made the save.
Ryan France took a corner for the Blades in the thirty-fifth minute but Huth managed to clear. Another corner ensued, from which Wheater cleared before Morgan had another shot at goal.
Soon afterwards, good play between Aliadiere and Yeates almost gave Boro a two-on-one but a pass that was too long scuppered that opportunity. Adam Johnson had a cross-cum-shot on thirty-nine but Mark Bunn comfortably collected.
The bad news for Boro started in the fortieth minute after Didier Digard became injured, again. It was a groin injury this time - another joke. Gary O'Neil, who may be going for a hernia operation next week, came on to replace him. You couldn't make it up.
A shot from Boro's man of mystery, Mark Yeates, was blocked by Matthew Kilgallon and this was the last action of the first forty-five, with the half petering out to nothingness. A smattering of applause greeted the sides as they left the field after a combative and bruising encounter thus far.
THE SECOND HALF
In the early stages of the second half, a great ball from Huth allowed Johnson to get in behind the full-back. The defender caught the winger and he went down in the box. No penalty was given, despite the protests of the crowd. Marvin Emnes then launched a rasping shot at goal that went wide.
In the fiftieth minute, Yeates launched a shot from the inside of the penalty area that narrowly sailed over the crossbar. He had opened his body out well, but sadly his effort was a little wayward.
Two minutes later, Brian Howard struck a shot towards Danny Coyne but he made the save. Three minutes later and at the other end, Rhys Williams had a shot that drifted wide.
Shortly after the hour mark, it was substitution time as David Cotterill replaced Keith Treacy for the visitors. This did little to dampen Boro's zest though and when Mark Yeates tried to win a ball with a high foot, the crowd howled their derision as the momentum of the home side had been halted.
However, this point allowed Leroy Lita to make his Boro debut, replacing Marvin Emnes.
The Blades had the next shot on goal, with Stephen Quinn getting a shot in. Gary O'Neil made the block. This prompted Blades manager Kevin Blackwell into action, bringing on Ched Evans to play alongside Henderson. He was quite clearly going for the win, having two big frontmen up front and a tight midfield playing behind.
An in-swinging corner from Cotterill forced Coyne to come out and collect. Soon afterwards, Quinn had a shot from distance that skimmed past the left-hand post.
The Boro were stronger, fitter and more committed than the Blades but, like last season, they were toothless up front. In fact, United were having the better of the shots, although, in reality, neither side had really gone close this half. Come to think of it, the Boro had had only one shot on target all game thus far.
The game was threatening to dribble into a somewhat lifeless affair as Boro entered the period of a tie when they enjoy conceding. However, in the eightieth minute, Johnson received the ball on his right foot and, after beating the defender and whipping the ball into the box with his left, Lita narrowly missed connecting to the globe.
Boro's battling qualities were commendable but the Blades were not really being threatened. In fact, the paucity of goal-mouth action was concerning. As if prophesised, Tony McMahon wasted an opportunity on eighty-two by trying a long-range effort that was scuffed.
On eighty-seven, Yeates darted towards the Blades box and launched a dangerous ball in that general direction. The sphere drifted out but the Boro still came again.
On the stroke of full-time, Henderson crusaded his way towards the Boro box but Wheater managed to clear. But the Blades came again, before the Boro won a weak free kick.
And that was the final action of the game. Boro opened their Championship campaign with a draw at home and, from the vociferous boos that went around the ground, quite clearly the Boro faithful didn't think that that was enough. With only one shot on target all game, you couldn't blame them.
We were the better team throughout but with no end product, it was very much like groundhog day as the deficiencies from last season were still evident. In fact, it looked like we hadn't progressed at all from the dismal effort of last time around.
The Boro were strong and competitive, which at least is an improvement. Mark Yeates impressed on his debut - his tenacity was something that we missed so much last season.
However, unless something can be done about the weak front line, then Boro will be in the Championship for a long time to come.
I imagine Gareth Southgate will be frustrated with this effort as Boro, once again, were so near yet so far. Perhaps he may be a little angry after the denial of a clear cut penalty at the start of the second half. It's fair to say, that the dugouts are probably like a cauldron of Crosse & Blackwell.
Man Of The Match: Mark Yeates. An impressive debut for the former Colchester man who added much needed bite and creativity in midfield. It's a shame his end product was a little lacking whereas it was sad that the product of the strikeforce was lacking completely.
Sounded okay first half, from the wireless, but sort of petered out. Feels a little like two points dropped but you'd take it. I fancied a draw anyway and look what happened with Birmingham, that point dropped proved pretty costly.
What's annoyed me is, we've now got all these midfield and wide options and yet he starts with the most defence minded of the three right hand side options, plus Quinn and Howard who hardly set the division alight last year. Okay, Williamson's not fit yet, but why not put France in the middle and allow Cotterill a shot out wide? Very frustrating.
I was so busy listening to the end of the match tonight, that I left work without setting the alarm It's a good job my bus showed up a bit late, I had to leg it back!
What's annoyed me is, we've now got all these midfield and wide options and yet he starts with the most defence minded of the three right hand side options, plus Quinn and Howard who hardly set the division alight last year. Okay, Williamson's not fit yet, but why not put France in the middle and allow Cotterill a shot out wide? Very frustrating.
I was so busy listening to the end of the match tonight, that I left work without setting the alarm
It's a good job my bus showed up a bit late, I had to leg it back!
LoughboroBlade
Well-Known Member
First half - some really promising stuff, all the new players did well, particularly Treacy.
Second half - crap for both teams, some of the new players did less well, neither looked like scoring at any point.
MOTM - Morgs, a rock as always.
I thought Yeates looked good for them.
Second half - crap for both teams, some of the new players did less well, neither looked like scoring at any point.
MOTM - Morgs, a rock as always.
I thought Yeates looked good for them.
An good point I think. The defence looked solid, the 'keeper was excellent and although our attacked lacked a bit of sharpness it was up against a very good defence and it wasn't our first choice anyway.
Better than the mugging of last season, anyway!
Better than the mugging of last season, anyway!
Santos
Member
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- Aug 6, 2009
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- 302
Overall I think it was a good point tonight, and if we can kick on against what on paper are two inferior sides in the next two home games we can be delighted with the start we've made.
Bunn 7 - Great solid save in the first half which was creeping in, all other aspects very commanding and good kicking too.
Taylor 7 - Didn't do anything wrong, handled Johnson well and looks like we have our new long throw expert for the left.
Morgs 7 - no change
Killa 7 - no change
Walker 7 - Fine, a bit less impressive than his other performances for us.
Treacy 7 - I think I saw enough in him to think he can offer us something, could have scored early doors. Needs to put some balls in for the striker(s).
Monty 8 - Fantastic
Howard 6 - Generally poor
Quinn 8 - I'm not Quinny's biggest fan but I thought he looked a bit like the Quinny which first came onto the scene a few years ago.
France 6 - Poor, but to be fair to him I don't think he's an out and out winger or particularly attack minded, some of the dogs abuse he's getting on that weird site is a bit disturbing.
Hendo 7 - Did what Hendo does with little service, battled harried and held the ball up well.
Subs - Didn't really make a difference.
Bunn 7 - Great solid save in the first half which was creeping in, all other aspects very commanding and good kicking too.
Taylor 7 - Didn't do anything wrong, handled Johnson well and looks like we have our new long throw expert for the left.
Morgs 7 - no change
Killa 7 - no change
Walker 7 - Fine, a bit less impressive than his other performances for us.
Treacy 7 - I think I saw enough in him to think he can offer us something, could have scored early doors. Needs to put some balls in for the striker(s).
Monty 8 - Fantastic
Howard 6 - Generally poor
Quinn 8 - I'm not Quinny's biggest fan but I thought he looked a bit like the Quinny which first came onto the scene a few years ago.
France 6 - Poor, but to be fair to him I don't think he's an out and out winger or particularly attack minded, some of the dogs abuse he's getting on that weird site is a bit disturbing.
Hendo 7 - Did what Hendo does with little service, battled harried and held the ball up well.
Subs - Didn't really make a difference.
SouthEssexBlade
...for wit and sage wisdom
We got tired, they got tired. Both defences on top. They do look very solid at the back, but when O'Neill gets Wheater (Ireckon that's why he was there) they might well struggle.
Happy with a point!
Happy with a point!
LoughboroBlade
Well-Known Member
Could someone explain to me what Hendo does wrong on the majority of free-kicks given against him. All he seems to do is stand his ground and a foul is given to the opposition!
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