Team for Boro

[jimmymuir]

Clearly a decent side, but beatable. The key is to stop Hackney and Morris from dominating in midfield, I'd say they are the best central pair in the division.

Cooper
Seriki, Tanganga, Bindon, Burrows
Brooks, Peck, Soumare, Hamer,
COH
Cannon (Bamford instead of him if somehow fit)

 

[SwissBlade]

I'm judging based on my Rangers buddy who watched Rothwell play

Exactly.

Bamford rocked up 13th Nov, played his first game 10 days later when he came off the bench to play 20 mins against the pigs on 23rd Nov, played an hour v Pompey, 30 mins v Leicester all in the space of 6 days at the end of Nov. He then went on to get the Player of the Month for December. He'd left Leeds at the end of last season.

Rothwell and Phillips may also be able to do a job like Bamford did when he came in. I don't think they're going to be expected to start and play 90 mins every game, but nor do most other players, However, since we had limited depth to the squad, we've added to it with the likes of Rothwell and Phillips

I don't see that as an issue

 

[ancientblade]

Rothwell written off by many before he's even kicked a ball. He may turn out to be shite, but there were many that thought that Bamford would be a waste of money.

Let's give him a chance, if he's shite then he doesn't play. Simples!

wouldnt suprise me if rothwell started with ollie and phillips on the bench doesnt worry me about all the rothwell negatives i think its a great signing for us and think he will be first choice next season

 

[Bladeloyal]

wouldnt suprise me if rothwell started with ollie and phillips on the bench doesnt worry me about all the rothwell negatives i think its a great signing for us and think he will be first choice next season

Blaster and peck ,don't think Philips will feature

 

[BalticBlade]

No way Phillips starts. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he's not even on the bench.

 

[BalticBlade]

I'm judging based on my Rangers buddy who watched Rothwell play

I'm old enough to remember when Rothwell played 36 times for a team who won the Championship title with 100 points. Last year.

 

[Tom Bott]

Would be nice if Phillips or Rothwell could be relied on fitness wise but obviously we had to sign them at the very last minute didn't we

Maybe they only became available at the last minute.

 

[Tarqs]

I'm old enough to remember when Rothwell played 36 times for a team who won the Championship title with 100 points. Last year.

Im not questioning his ability, the feedback is hes grossly unfit

 

[Stretch]

Peck and Blaster start imo.

Rothwell and Soumare on the bench, and one will replace Blaster at 60 - 70 mins depending on how the game is set.

I genuinely cannot see Philips being fit enough to be in the squad yet.

The rest of the team picks itself. I just hope Bamford is in the squad.

 

[ben1987]

Philips was training with the Man City first team the day he signed for us.

He also said in his first interview he was fully fit and ready.

Hes just lacking match fitness.

I’d be pretty surprised if he wasn’t involved within the next game or two.

 

[Varkanoid]

Im not questioning his ability, the feedback is hes grossly unfit

He was, all smiles at the beginning of Inside... But looked knackered and slightly concerned at the end as though realising where the squad is now fitness wise and his level is way below.

 

[bakeblade]

Peck and Blaster start imo.

Rothwell and Soumare on the bench, and one will replace Blaster at 60 - 70 mins depending on how the game is set.

I genuinely cannot see Philips being fit enough to be in the squad yet.

The rest of the team picks itself. I just hope Bamford is in the squad.

I'll be surprised if he's not on the bench

 

[Tarqs]

He was, all smiles at the beginning of Inside... But looked knackered and slightly concerned at the end as though realising where the squad is now fitness wise and his level is way below.

Rangers lad said he was a regular under the previous manager but looked way way off it.

Rohl has barely featured him since he went.

 

[Stretch]

I'll be surprised if he's not on the bench

Bamford or Philips?

 

[bakeblade]

Bamford or Philips?

Philips

 

[Stretch]

Philips

Only one first team appearance this season. I imagine he will be way off the pace for a couple of weeks.

We'll soon see though.

 

[bakeblade]

Only one first team appearance this season. I imagine he will be way off the pace for a couple of weeks.

We'll soon see though.

£45 mill player with bags of premier league and England experience, we'd be mad to not have him on the bench

 

[Dkc]

If only we could combine Cannon's pace with Campbell's finishing.

 

[Houston_Blade]

If only we could combine Cannon's pace with Campbell's finishing.

Campbell’s probably quicker, he just doesn’t bother running.

I don’t want to see Campbell starting on his own up front tonight, it will be a frustrating game if he does.

 

[SwissBlade]

£45 mill player with bags of premier league and England experience, we'd be mad to not have him on the bench

The price tag is irrelevant, more so with the likes of phillips, because Man City have outbid most clubs with inflated prices.

At the time, phillips was probably worth around £15-20m to a side that was going to play him, which was probably a bottom half club

 

[EddieColquhoun]

He was, all smiles at the beginning of Inside... But looked knackered and slightly concerned at the end as though realising where the squad is now fitness wise and his level is way below.

I thought he had a quick drink and then got back on the pitch before anyone else

 

[The Fox]

I'd suspect Philips plays if fit , or at least on at 60 mins as id be surprised if its not a condition of the loan deal .
If fit I'd start him alongside peck.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Surely we haven't done all this recruitment to still field Arblaster against the might of Middlesbrough. I'd prefer Soumaré if neither of the new recruits are fit to start.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Just want 11 lads who will run through a brick wall for this club.

 

[The Hobott]

Arblaster before Soumare every time. Soumare gives it away to often in dangerous areas.

 

[CPB]

Arblaster before Soumare every time. Soumare gives it away to often in dangerous areas.

Soumare has all the attributes to be a pretty good CM. And sometimes he shows it.

My issue is he has tendency to be clumsy in possession or even in the tackle (Charlton sending off).
It's like he doesn't actually have full control over his own legs.

But if you get a performance off him where he keeps all that to a minimal he is pretty good.

If we were playing in a big game say a play off final. He would probably send a third of our fanbase to hospital with cardiac issues.

 

[bladesince64]

Soumare is definitely one for the future and has great development potential.

As for Rothwell and Phillips, any pro footballer looking for an opportunity at a new club should have maintained a high level of fitness and so will be good to go.

Bamford actually stated in his first interview that he'd had a personal trainer doing fitness drills with him after leaving Leeds which was impressive imo

 

[MayorOJC]

 

[CarlMcBlade]

A chance to close the play-off gap down to 5pts! I'd start Phillips but if he's looking too rusty could take him off at half time.

-----------------Cooper
Seriki Tanganga Bindon Burrows
Brooks Peck Phillips Hamer
-----‐----- Cannon O'Hare

That’ll do for me cocker.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Soumare is definitely one for the future and has great development potential.

As for Rothwell and Phillips, any pro footballer looking for an opportunity at a new club should have maintained a high level of fitness and so will be good to go.

Bamford actually stated in his first interview that he'd had a personal trainer doing fitness drills with him after leaving Leeds which was impressive imo

I don’t think Chris Wilder is writing him off, and as we all know…His opinion is the only one that matters.