Middlesbrough (A) - Tues 23rd Feb 19:00 - Matchday thread

[Ivorguy]

Just now, CliftonCliff said:

Please tell me that's not Mariappa at LB!

Surely it’s Towler

[Reigate Red]

Good to see Pearson getting directly involved as a sub !

[M.D]

Just now, CliftonCliff said:

Please tell me that's not Mariappa at LB!

Looks like LCB in a back 3/5

[BRIAN WILSON]

Blimey our new MANAGER has named himself on the bench 

[ashton_fan]

Why are we still playing 2 up front? Would have played Wells plus Massengo as an extra midfielder, we have to get more of the ball, can't see anything other than another defeat

[Lrrr]

Glad Towler gets another go, enough players have had more than 1 chance, this time he has Mariappa inside him you'd guess. Well.... unless they've gone diamond with Mariappa LB......

8 subs I guess is because 23's played today and they didn't fancy taking anyone just for a trip.

[Ivorguy]

4 minutes ago, Prinny said:

I like that, no Moore, no Lansbury,

Palmer AND Wells on the pitch together!

Good luck Towler/Mariappa

Assume Sess we're being cautious with instead of flogging him.

 

Lansbury is injured from last game

[Finley_Smith10]

Formation will probably stay the same tonight and then during the week Pearson will try to change it to his preferred style, well I presume that will be the case 

[Northern Red]

4 minutes ago, Curr Avon said:

So this is the final game, BN. Saturday will mark the AN era.

I'm just looking forward to the meltdown when the starting lineup emerges on Saturday and people realise that Nige hasn't brought half a dozen new players with him.

[Big C]

Just now, Ivorguy said:

Lansbury is injured from last game

out for the season then

[BanburyRed]

Interested to know who picked the team, Fam is taking a place of someone more deserving.......good to have Antoine and HNM available off the bench.

[Lew-T]

I’m not expecting a great deal of change but I just want to see us compete and play with high intensity tonight. 
 

We’ve been playing like a veterans side of late. We need more movement in those forward areas...

[Fpcity]

9 minutes ago, ashton_fan said:

Why are we still playing 2 up front? Would have played Wells plus Massengo as an extra midfielder, we have to get more of the ball, can't see anything other than another defeat

I don't think Fam has ever really played well in a 2? He'll probably get the winner tonight but always prefer when he doesn't play 

[Bristolisredd]

14 minutes ago, CliftonCliff said:

Please tell me that's not Mariappa at LB!

.... no because Towler is playing

[Red Army 75]

Why do I get my hopes up should know so much better . 

[Bristolisredd]

3 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

We so desperately need a few more returning. Baker, Walsh, O'Dowda, Watkins hopefully next back. Not sure on Nurse.

WATKINS

[The Original OTIB]

Hunt and Towler have to get at Bola and Fisher from the start. Get up the pitch and push them back. They are the supply in their 3-1-4-2

[RedorDead BCFC]

6 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

We so desperately need a few more returning. Baker, Walsh, O'Dowda, Watkins hopefully next back. Not sure on Nurse.

Change your profile pic 

[mozo]

Have to say I think Warnock will spot some weaknesses to exploit there, and he’s got some canny players.

This will take some effort from the lads.

[Robbored]

Who is Pearson on the bench? 

[Davefevs]

21 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

352 again ? Wasn’t sure if Pearson might have a slight impact in team shape . Looks like he hasn’t . Good to see vyner back there & Moore dropped. Midfield has more balance imo 

Bar Towler, pegs n holes.

[Silvio Dante]

Right, I’m going out on a limb.

Fam shouldn’t be playing based on recent form. He’s clearly going and in his can’t be arsed phase.

However.

Hes playing tonight against one of the clubs who are a mooted destination in the summer. If there’s one thing Colin won’t accept, it’s players downing tools. If he plays with the lack of effort he’s shown recently, any move to Boro is off.

So, I’m going for him, now he’s starting, to be nigh on unplayable. Revert back to can’t be arsed mode Saturday, but tonight - he’ll be on fire. And despite my prior 1-1 prediction, I think on reflection, he’ll lead us to a surprise 2-0

Now, the meds.

[old_eastender]

Good news no Lansbury, bad news Fammy starts again.

I'd have gone for Pato supporting Wells, playing for a new contract. Don't see Fammy has any incentive to put a real shift in.

[Silvio Dante]

18 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

Lansbury is shit and hits every ball out of play, the hipster bearded tool

Fixed that for you

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Who is Pearson on the bench? 

The same Pearson who's been on the bench 11 times previously this season!!!!  Last 7 too!

[Gillies Downs Leeds]

2 minutes ago, Robbored said:

Who is Pearson on the bench? 

Sam, been on the bench for the last 7 or 8 games.

[Silvio Dante]

1 minute ago, Davefevs said:

The same Pearson who's been on the bench 11 times previously this season!!!!

Quick, give him a link to the 11 previous times on the OS or he’ll get all stroppy

[CliftonCliff]

4 minutes ago, JonDolman said:

Yeah remember him? The guy who played well against Brentford, Luton, Cardiff and Barnsley last season. Who also won us 6 points in 2 great wins by scoring and playing so well against Sheffield United and Blackburn the season before.

He's a capable player. I know some don't rate him at all, but would you rather he wasn't an option for Nigel Pearson? Surely the more fit senior options the better.

 

Well said. Always some smartarse ready to take the piss or slag off a player who's done very little to deserve it. He's a more than capable footballer and I've never seen him let anyone down.

[The Original OTIB]

3 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Bar Towler, pegs n holes.

They do go 3-1-4-2 so a 3-5-2 could be argued to be not dissimilar. As noted above, Bola and Fisher need to be handled by Hunt and Towler. Will Hunt be up to it? I doubt it on recent form. How long for tonight's yellow?

[alexukhc]

Still can’t believe how cheaper Fisher was