07/08/2009 - Middlesborough v. Sheffield United

[DazBlade88]

It wasn't the best game but I'd have taken a point before we went so I'll take it. First game of the season with 2 teams expecting to be up there is always going to be a bit cagey.

I wasn't expecting us to do anything different than what we did, Blackwell's away tactics will always be the same, there's nothing we can do about it. I thought they were there for the taking last night though, I'd have put Reid on for France (who I thought was very poor at times) along with Cotterill, thought we might have got a winner if we had.

Middlesbrough reminded me of us in a way. They had a solid back four, but didn't really have much going forward. The only difference was they tried to pass it more, but it worked as much as our direct football did.

 

[Greasy Chip Butty]

One of the positives i took from last night was Bunn's kicking. It seemed much more accurate than Paddy's, with more power and less height.

I noticed that too, most of the balls he played reached Hendo and did well when put under pressure with some dodgy back passes.

Also what Dunc said about us being referred to as a physical team, the amount of time I heard it mentioned last night by commentators, pundits, boro players and just turned SSN on now and they're saying the same thing!

 

[BladesMad]

Also what Dunc said about us being referred to as a physical team, the amount of time I heard it mentioned last night by commentators, pundits, boro players and just turned SSN on now and they're saying the same thing!

Nobody likes us apart from the fans:cry2:...so who cares

 

[Sensiblade]

Even Warnock called us a Physical team!

 

[Linz]

Our match report and pictures: HERE

 

[Currie on Radio]

Just wanted to say thanks for an excellent report and the pictures make a great difference.

Thanks for making a great fans forum. Keep up the good work.

 

[Foxy]

You can also see more photos from Boro and any we take this season by following the "2009/10" link in the "Photos and Media" dropdown on the main site (www.s24su.com).

 

[moDtheGod]

Great report, look forward to reading more. I don't get to away games very often.

 

[Jimbo]

I have to say I was happy enough with last night.
Ok, we didn't exactly get off to a flier like we'd all have liked, but Boro away is gonna be one of the toughest games we'll have all season and to be fair we never looked in any danger of losing. They had a little spell in the 1st half when they forced us back a bit, but that was it.

The defence looked pretty solid, the midfield were playing some decent stuff (especially in the 1st half) and to say Henderson hasn't kicked a ball for nearly 4 months I thought he did really well. Once he and Evans get their fitness up to scratch I think the signs are good. The passing looked a lot better (I swear I saw some neat little triangles going on!), Monty looked immense, Taylor and Treacey looked solid enough for a debut.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the way we've started the season!

 

[Come from away]

As this is one of the few TV games we got I have watched the tape a couple of times and am pleased with the strong defence, impressed by how well Hendo hangs onto the ball and, given the the main Boro threats were likely to be Yates and Johnson can understand playing France and Treacy. However, the most obvious element was the right wing was empty for long spells, no out ball, allowing the boro defence to shift to their left and crowd us out even when we went down the left wing. Width requires two for real wingers - bring back Cotts. As for Quinn I really get upset by his little flick passes in the general direction of a player who then gets to receive both ball and a set of studs. Pity Williamson is injured but we should do better at the lane with a real 4-4-2. Just hope the France Rt Wing was for only this specific situation.

 

[Greg]

It was a scrappy game, but I'm pretty happy with a point at the Riverside. I was expecting them to beat us to be honest, with Lita getting on the scoresheet. Neither happened though, so I'm happy

I was impressed by Treacy and Taylor, who both seem to have fit in to the team quite well. Hendo also played well to say he's not even fully fit yet. However, I was fairly disappointed at the rather lacklustre performance of Brian Howard. He didn't seem to get involved at all during the game.