Boro 1 United 0 -report/ratings

[Deadbat_DB]

After such a fantastic start to the season, it is now back to back league defeats for the Blades after another loss on the road – this time to Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough. United have not won at the Riverside Stadium since 1997 and that poor record continued in another disappointing evening where they lacked energy and ideas. United were not at the races again as the home side took control and deservedly won it with a late header from sub Latte Lath giving them the three points.



The Blades were without Vinicius Souza, due to suspension and did not risk Gus Hamer from the start and brought in Sam McCallum, Alfie Gilchrist, Sydie Peck, Rhian Brewster and Jesurun Rak Sayki in 5 changes from the side from the defeat on Elland Road. The home side also changed things up with Conway coming in for Latte Lath at the top of the field after their loss to Bristol City.



United began with Brewster wide left and Peck alongside Arblaster in a young midfield. Rak Sayki was fed the ball early but his cross was cut out. McCallum had two errant touches but Cooper took the cross. Brewster sent over a cross that was put behind and whilst the corner came to nothing, the Blades started the better side in terms of possession although Gilchrist had to get back to cut out the danger from Conway.



Cooper made a bit of a mess of the corner and as the ball came in Edmundson’s shot was deflected wide by Ahmedhodzic – leading to another corner. The Blades dealt with the danger and Brewster then went on a foraging run beating his man before his cross was scooped clear.



O’Hare was caught twice leading to free kicks and then the midfielder linked well with Rak Sayki before Souttar was well forward and showed good skill to go past his man down the right. The Blades had settled the better and O’Hare had the first effort on target as his shot was pushed away by Dieng. The keeper then got away with another less than convincing parr from Peck’s driven cross.



Doak was starting to get more involved and twice went past McCallum with a purposeful run and McGree’s shot took a nick before it went wide after being given too much time. The best chance of the game came when Rak Sayki was fed with the ball in a dangerous area and the winger’s step over created space in a moment reminiscent of his second goal against Luton. His driven shot beat Dieng but the veteran Ayling got back to clear off the line.



Boro went straight up the other end and Conway’s effort was driven powerfully towards goal but Cooper held on. The game had been slow to start but now was moving up a level in its intensity and after a gift from the busy Ayling, McCallum fudged his cross completely. The wing back had experienced a difficult evening and this was in evidence again as Doak once again went past him and hit a driven shot that Cooper beat out before the rebound was sent back and the keeper had to save again showing good reactions. This was the best opportunity for the home side.



The game was now really open and Boro were having their best spell, despite the Rak Sayki opportunity and Ayaz came inside from Arblaster and Peck too easy and led to McGree driving in a ball which McCallum did well to clear. United had lost the momentum completely and Boro were not finding pockets of space and the visitors were sitting off and inviting pressure, much as they had at Leeds. They were now looking the more likely although O’Hare nearly got in after Gilchrist broke but the ball was poor. The Chelsea man’s technical deficiencies were shown up when he kicked the ball out twice on succession under no pressure where as on the other side Doak continued to worry the left side with Brewster not really helping McCallum. Souttar and Ahmedhodzic had remained relatively solid but Moore cut an isolated figure at the other end and outside of Rak Sayki, it was hard to see where the creativity was coming from.



Boro won another two corners on the stroke of half time but United were able to see off any danger and the half ended scoreless. After another game where United had created little, Wilder had a team talk to try and see us offer more of an attacking threat. Conversely, Cooper only had a couple of saves to make at the other end but it would have been concerning how the home side had grown into the game.



The second half saw Doak beat McCallum again but his cross was overhit. O’Hare had been put over to the left-hand side but he was not able to support and the Liverpool loanee continued to cause problems. Moore had a rare break but his lack of pace saw the defenders get back to stop the opportunity and his cross hit a Boro man. Rak Sayki was continuing to cause problems but after another good run, he pulled up with an injury.



Boro continued to look the more likely and after Moore failed to keep the ball, McGree was played in but shot was blocked by Souttar. There was a triple change as Norrington Davies, Shacketon and Hamer came on for McCallum, Peck and O’Hare.



The home side came again as Ayaz got away from Ahmedhodzic and his cross seemed set to be finished by Conway but Gilchrist got across to make a superb block to deny what seemed a certain goal.



Hamer tried an ambitious effort but was well off target. Conway was caught offside as he tried to get in behind before once again Doak got behind as Norrington Davies had both him and Ayling were running in behind.



Rak Sayki showed good skill in a rare United attack but his shot was blocked before Norrington Davies then stood up a cross that was headed behind. Gilchrist had a dipping effort saved from Dieng in a better spell but Hamer then picked up a daft booking kicking the ball away, leading to a suspension for the game this weekend.



After the mini spell, Boro settled back down and after Latte Lath came on, he made an instant impact. Ayaz had been the game’s outstanding midfielder and he came inside and chipped a delightful cross, under no pressure at all, and as Souttar passed his man off to Gilchrist, no one was able to react and LATTE LATH stopped to nod home.



United tried to respond but Brewster’s cross was hacked away by Edmundson before Ayaz had a curling effort off target as gaps appeared at the other end. Brooks came on for Gilchrist but only had 3 minutes left to make an impact.



Doak then came away from his man and whipped a shot that Cooper had to push away before Boro made a number of late changes. Hamer poked a shot at the keeper but it was a comfortable save before in the 5 minutes of stoppage time, Shackelton had a long ranger, that was again right at Dieng. In the end Boro saw out the time for a deserved victory as United struggled yet again to look much of a goal threat.

 

[Deadbat_DB]

United – Massively disappointing again. Thought we looked completely devoid of energy and ideas yet again. We had the one Rak Sayki chance and a few other long-range efforts but we never really hurt them or really attacked them and looked a bit clueless. Moore was a non-factor and again we did not really get bodies forward outside of Rak Sayki. I felt he was the only one who looked likely to make or create something. The middle of the defence was solid and the keeper played well but Boro were the much better side and all the stats show that. They could have won by more but deserved the victory. I thought that we looked completely lack of belief and when the goal did go in, sort of meekly just limped to another defeat.



Wilder is right that we have thrown the team together and we do have some young players but I also think we are conceding the territory and the approach is extremely negative. I am not sure how we are trying to progress up the field and have any territory/pressure. It seemed to be just give it to Rak Sayki and hope he can find some magic. Outside of that, I was not clear how we might hurt them? We got completely overrun in the middle of the field and Peck/Arblaster looked miles of it – which they did at Leeds. Arblaster in particular has had a huge drop off which is concerning but is a young lad and will not be able to play well every week. The trouble is we have no depth or options behind those players, if and when they do drop off. I expect more from some of the forward players and creative players and once again Moore, Brewster and O’Hare were hugely disappointing and offered next to nothing.



I can live with losing of course but we have to try and have a go and try and find a way to score goals and at the moment we look quite dull and uninspiring. The goal was sloppy but like with Leeds, it is inevitable a chance might come when you concede so much possession. The weight of play and possession means something might break. The lack of options in reserve is also telling. We have no striking depth and no midfield depth at all. We have seen the likes of Shackleton and McCallum may be ok against the weaker sides as a bit of a fill in but when we step up against the better teams they have struggled this week.



I may be being too harsh and at the start of the season I said around 6th – 10th was what I expected and the last few games probably has reaffirmed by feelings on that but it is frustrating as we had such a good start. These two games were being seen as the litmus test of where we are really at and we have lost both and deservedly so and barely looked like winning either game in my opinion. It’s probably brought me and many back to earth who thought maybe we can have another promotion assault but being around the playoffs is probably about the best we can expect when you look at the squad and the lack of depth (not Wilder’s fault). I do worry about his tactics and approach though and we are not trying to hurt teams or attack much. It is quite boring to watch and seen little to get me off my seat the last few games. I slated Swansea a few games ago, but not sure we have looked any different to them in the last couple of games. We pass it around a bit, then eventually kick it forward and lose it. I just feel we have no real idea how to attack currently and are relying on a strong defence and keeper.



Stoke at home we will hopefully see a reaction – we once again lose a key man with another stupid booking- but several players have to step up. The last few games we have seen teams been better collectively but individually man for man we have lost most of the battles. Sadly, we can discuss team selection and changes and maybe we can bring Brooks in and Souza will come back but we have so few options and credible replacements for all the criticism the likes of Moore and O’Hare will get again.



Ratings:



Cooper 7/10 – Flapped a bit at a corner but then he made one good save from a driven shot and then two double saves where he showed his reflexes. Expected saves but he made them. I felt his handling was solid and his play with his feet good again. He made two or three really good saves and kept the score down in the end. Had little chance on the goal and was badly exposed.



Gilchrist 4/10 - He did well defensively and was able to clear/react to danger. He struggles hugely with the ball and technically is a long way off a Premier League player- he often looks clueless when he gets it as shown when he kicked it out twice or plays aimless chips. He made one tremendous defensive clearance to deny a goal but then switched off when he should have got across on the goal.



McCallum 2/10 –Thought he hugely struggled continuing the theme of the left-hand side now being right or close enough to their men – from the Leeds game. He got a bit of a going over from Doak and seemed slow to react and was never tight enough. He did not get any help from Brewster and then O’Hare though. He also was sloppy with the ball and gave it away so many times. Had a good chance from the Ayling error but fluffed his lines. Should have come off at half time for me.



Ahmedhodzic 6/10 – Solid enough and cleared/headed it away. He did what he had to and felt he looked frustrated with the lack of movement in front and did try and come out with it. Continued to read the game and defend well.



Souttar 6/10 – Won a number of headers but also used the ball and stepped out well. He looked excellent in terms of mopping up. The goal he may have got back but think it was hard and Gilchrist had to come across as the ball came in.



Peck 3.5/10 – Thought he began ok but then became a bit of a struggle. Never really got into it and was stepped away from a few times. He gave it away quite a bit and the game just sort of looked to quick for him. We completely lost the midfield after the first 15 minutes- the same as at Leeds. Came off and was not surprised.



Arblaster 4/10 – Another off game for him. He seemed to not have much of the ball but also defensively thought he stood off. He had a few moments where he got on it but too often he just seemed to be not in it and they buzzed around us and won this area. Twice this week, the Japanese lad and now Ayaz have run games and Arblaster has to look at this. Tough to be too critical on a young lad but if he wants to be a top player he needs to better than he has been and has looked well off it. Teams are just playing little passes or one twos and going through our midfield. We are not picking up anything nor pressuring the opposition.



Rak Sayki 7/10 – Our most dangerous forward. He got in good areas, nearly scored and was a constant threat faced with no help or support. He continued to try and get in and cause problems but was on his own.



O’Hare 4/10 – Did better than he has in that at least he had some involvement and a few touches/runs and the shot early on. Bought a few fouls. After this he faded badly and did not really see him.



Brewster 4.5/10 – Good early cross and then excellent run but faded badly and did not help McCallum at all. Moved more centrally it seemed 2nd half but I felt after the early promise we saw little of him except the one cross near the end. I am not sure he even knew where he was playing! He also did not help out defensively. I forgot he was even playing most of the 2nd half.



Moore 2/10 – Non factor. Little service but had to be a nuisance or a physical threat but did not win headers or even get close to the defenders when the ball came up. He barely touched the ball, lost it easily when it came up to him and seemed to go in completely the wrong direction when the ball came towards him. We had nothing up top. Another you would rotate out, like O’Hare but then you look at the alternatives and well, we don’t have any! 1 goal between him, O’Hare, Brewster, Campbell in like 40 odd games between them sums it up really!

 

[Deadbat_DB]

Subs -



Hamer 5/10 – Few speculative shots and at least tried to have efforts or be positive but then a stupid booking which gets him a suspension. At least we look a threat when he has it but his season has been stop start.



Norrington Davies 4/10 – Came on for McCallum but he struggled with Doak too who continued to cause problems. RND did get forward a bit and put some crosses in at least.#



Shackleton 3.5/10 – Brought on to give us some energy and maybe a foothold in midfield. Did not work as they continued to control this area. One shot at the end apart, he did little.



Campbell 3/10 – Not sure he touched the ball much at all. He looks very unfit and lacks mobility and pace. Seemed a bit of a punt signing and nothing I have seen suggests he will make much of an impact sadly.



Brooks – No time to make any impact. Ridiculous he only came on at the 86-minute mark.



Manager: Wilder 3/10 – Another lethargic and lifeless performance where after a decent 10-15 minutes, we had maybe one decent chance all game and then a few long rangers. Boro dominated the ball, territory and had the better chances outside of the JRS one. We looked like we had no real idea how to get out of the rut we were in but did not pressure the ball and when we had it, tossed it away cheaply. The only possession we had was in our own half and we looked very Swansea with no idea what to do in terms of someone taking it on the half turn or committing men. The front players outside of Rak Sayki looked weak and slow and we had no outlet at all outside of the Palace man. Moore was abject and O’Hare although a bit busier to start with, was disappointing again. Brewster had a few early moments but faded again and did not help the hapless McCallum. The keeper and centre backs were fine. People may pick on the goal but when we concede so much possession, then chances will keep coming. The two young lads in midfield got bossed again. He made changes on the hour but it seemed just like he was throwing bodies on in desperation. The tactics did not change, we did not get up the pitch and seemed to be just hoping to get out with a 0-0. It was desperate stuff in terms of not being positive. He sad we have hit a dip but his job is to motivate the side and get them to play with more intensity. Both Leeds and Boro have been more skilled and technically better (passing forward with more purpose) and breaking the lines but even more worrying is we are standing off and not even winning the battles. We have looked an ordinary and dull side the last two, albeit v better teams but when we have gone behind, it’s almost like we just give up. There is little fight or resolve to get back in games. It’s as if we concede and that is it. A lot of work for him to do but with limited options personnel wise, he has to get improvements from most of those playing.



I hate the way he bigged up Leeds and now Boro pre games and post games. It was a bit pathetic. Focus on what we can do. He needs to focus on our strengths but his message to players is almost that he expects these teams to be better. Bizarre way to prepare them and very much post Covid Wilder but these are Champ opponents and not Prem teams?!



Middlesbrough – Thought they would be up among the top 6 this season after they finished 8th last year and it being a weaker league. They dropped off last year after Carrick got them close after taking over from Wilder but after losing some key players and not getting the best of starts, they never got close to promotion really. They still have some decent players but feel they have not really kicked on and maybe given Carrick the backing and with the teams coming down with parachute payments, the likes of them, Norwich and WBA always will be battling for 2 or 3 slots in the playoffs I feel. I certainly do not see them having enough for automatic promotion. This season they have been inconsistent so far but the XG and all the metrics all suggest they should be much higher in the league and by all accounts have not taken chances and conceded some sloppy goals.



Carrick was the name on everyone’s lips a few years ago and linked with some Premier League jobs but has not been quite able to push them on but lost a lot of firepower and loan players that did well when they started to push us a few seasons ago. They seem to be a side that can beat the best teams but also have poor results and I do expect the to be in and around the playoffs but with the 3 relegated sides + Leeds and Sunderland doing well – it might be a push even for them to get in the top 6.



They seem to lack goals at the top of the pitch and Latte Lath who looked like he may be a key man had not really been firing so far. They have some good young players like Hackney and Jones and then experience with Clarke and Howson but not sure they have top quality to blow teams away? Doak has come in from Liverpool and Conway from Bristol City supplanting the signing of Ayaz from Villa last year but I do not see a top side that can go toe to toe with the likes of Leeds and Burnley.



Tonight, they began slowly and made some mistakes but gradually they took over and for most of the game were the hungrier, more energetic and better side. They deserved their win and had the better players on the field in most areas outside of the keeper and centre backs. They looked like they wanted to go and win the game and in the end got what they deserved against a limited and negative opponent.



Opponent Man of the Match – Ayaz or Doak. They both were excellent. Maybe Sky got it right as Ayaz was very good and thought completely dominated Arblaster and Peck and a great cross to the goal. Doak caused all sorts of problems.



Opponent Weak link – Ayling made some errors but a great clearance. I thought that Dieng was dodgy with his handling and decisions but we did not test him enough.



Referee/Officials – Andy Davies. Fine. We barely put a tackle in and stood off most of the time. The booking for Hamer was right. The only booking of the game. Not sure there was many other things he got wrong.

 

[Grayblade]

“I hate the way he bigged up Leeds and now Boro pre games and post games. It was a bit pathetic. Focus on what we can do. He needs to focus on our strengths but his message to players is almost that he expects these teams to be better. Bizarre way to prepare them and very much post Covid Wilder but these are Champ opponents and not Prem teams?!”

Spot on! I posted almost exactly the same thing. It’s wearing very very thin!

 

[Bulmer1889]

Can’t argue with any of that I posted last night we had morphed into Swansea I said before the game we would see how positive we were going to be unfortunately it was side side back
You pretty much echoed what was being said on here last night if we can all see it ……..

 

[RaysaBlade]

“I hate the way he bigged up Leeds and now Boro pre games and post games. It was a bit pathetic. Focus on what we can do. He needs to focus on our strengths but his message to players is almost that he expects these teams to be better. Bizarre way to prepare them and very much post Covid Wilder but these are Champ opponents and not Prem teams?!”

Spot on! I posted almost exactly the same thing. It’s wearing very very thin!

It’s as though he has given his excuses out before the game!!!!

 

[Dave Burgess]

Could be a flatter to deceive season that,s been seen too many times before for us Blades fans where beating the pigs is top priority just to keep their massive gobs shut and short term satisfaction for us Blades. If we don,t do that, then it,s deffo doldrums time!

 

[Chronic]

“I hate the way he bigged up Leeds and now Boro pre games and post games. It was a bit pathetic. Focus on what we can do. He needs to focus on our strengths but his message to players is almost that he expects these teams to be better. Bizarre way to prepare them and very much post Covid Wilder but these are Champ opponents and not Prem teams?!”

Spot on! I posted almost exactly the same thing. It’s wearing very very thin!

It's a self pitying approach. Tiresome and pathetic.

 

[Chronic]

Campbell 3/10 – Not sure he touched the ball much at all. He looks very unfit and lacks mobility and pace. Seemed a bit of a punt signing and nothing I have seen suggests he will make much of an impact sadly.

He seems like an absolute waste of space.

Looks like he'll never be fit ever again.

If we could shift him and O'Hare in January I would. Fuck it, get rid. Never thought I'd be saying that about O'Hare, but it's clear all the magic has been knocked out of him and we've just got the basic version. And he's a cringeworthy little spiceboy to boot.