[Albion] Match ratings Middlesbrough

[SeagullSongs]

Interested to know what made Casper our worst player on the pitch today according to your scoring?

Apologies, I noticed that a while afterwards and it was unintentional. He didn't have an awful lot to do and 7 is my standard mark for a keeper when they're not that troubled. Put him up to a 7.5 or an 8 if you like, he probably deserved it.

 

[Blackadder]

I think people have been impressed with Greer since he got back in the team, and I think it has a lot to do with playing next to Matt Upson. He has made the heart of defense that much stronger.

Agreed plus the fact that we have competition for places. Greer and Upson both know that they have Adam breathing down their necks.

 

[severnside gull]

I think people have been impressed with Greer since he got back in the team, and I think it has a lot to do with playing next to Matt Upson. He has made the heart of defense that much stronger.

I love Adam's committment but with GG and Upson together the defence is notably less frenetic.

 

[El Presidente]

Ignoring his debut, we have conceded 8 goals in the last 13 games since signing Upson.

 

[Skaville]

No it wasn't. Colin Hawkins vs Hartlepool in the FA Cup was "absolutely appalling". Greer at Palace was nowhere near that derogatory term. Yes, he gave away a daft penalty but we played the whole game with 10 men and only conceded from a corner and two penalties...

Glenn Murray completely bossed him. Couldn't win a thing in the air. Murray could have had five. It was shocking. Thankfully he has rediscovered some form. He was terrific last season and is playing brillliantly again now but I'm sure GG himself would admit that he went through three or four months to forget.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Glenn Murray completely bossed him. Couldn't win a thing in the air. Murray could have had five. It was shocking. Thankfully he has rediscovered some form. He was terrific last season and is playing brillliantly again now but I'm sure GG himself would admit that he went through three or four months to forget.

But our defensive record, all season, has been pretty damn good. Gordon's not great in the air, I agree Murray bossed him on the day but Kuszczak didn't really have much to do as I recall. Maybe I'm repressing some of the game, but all I really remember from the game is the Dunk red, the goals, and the fact that we decided Bolasie was amazing on the basis he's a cracking dancer but didn't threaten to create a goal, or score one.

 

[Rugrat]

I love Adam's committment but with GG and Upson together the defence is notably less frenetic.

I'd go with that and the other thing about Greer is he doesn't have me panicking at every corner or as the oppo come through the centre. I think our CB's get a much easier ride overall as a result of Bridcutt being in front of them but when called on I've got a lot of confidence in GG. He's not great in the air but the arrival of Upson and Ulloa makes it feel like we are much less vulnerable at set pieces.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Great to hear there was chanting in support of Casper. Did he acknowledge the chant/the fans?

 

[Flavor Flav]

No it wasn't. Colin Hawkins vs Hartlepool in the FA Cup was "absolutely appalling". Greer at Palace was nowhere near that derogatory term. Yes, he gave away a daft penalty but we played the whole game with 10 men and only conceded from a corner and two penalties...

Always enjoy it when Colin Hawkins gets a mention on here. It puts everything in perspective and really makes me grateful for where we are at the moment.

 

[Sussex on Leith]

Great to hear there was chanting in support of Casper. Did he acknowledge the chant/the fans?

Applauded fans at the end, albeit from a distance. Got the impression that he kept his head down (in a good way) during the game rather than wave and acknowledge because he just wanted to get the clean sheet and exorcise a few demons. Must have felt good to hear fans singing his name though. As I said earlier, having not been to a game for a while, I thought our support was absolutely outstanding throughout.

 

[4-p]

I did enjoy the Casper song

 

[Puppet Master]

I did enjoy the Casper song

Assuming you've got your name on the back of your shirt, I saw you in the pub yesterday.

That's all.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Always enjoy it when Colin Hawkins gets a mention on here. It puts everything in perspective and really makes me grateful for where we are at the moment.

I still can't believe how bad he was! Even Gus couldn't turn him around.

 

[Acker79]

Any more ratings?

 

[CoachVealie]

One more rating.

Gus Poyet 9 - His half time team-talk made all the difference. Orlandi, Bridge & Crofts on the left plus Lopez, Calde & Hammond on the right played much further forward with Bridcutt in support. That didn't happen by accident!

 

[CoachVealie]

One more rating.

Gus Poyet 9 - His half time team-talk made all the difference. Orlandi, Bridge & Crofts on the left plus Lopez, Calde & Hammond on the right played much further forward with Bridcutt in support. That didn't happen by accident!

 

[Whitley Bayster]

MOM definately Greer. All of the back four were solid but he stood out. The whole team were set up well we had really good shape throughout the game. We clearly missed the speed of our wide men in the first half but Gus sorted it. The tempo picked up and once we scored any confidence Boro had quickly ebbed away. Ulloa was immense and worked his socks off. Spanish Dave's goal was beautiful and his celebration

After watching the Football League Show I'd like to know what game Mowbray was watching? He felt Boro were in control of the game until we scored. Desperate man clutching at straws maybe.

 

[Mellotron]

Great to hear there was chanting in support of Casper. Did he acknowledge the chant/the fans?

Big fist pump on the final whistle - you could see how much the clean sheet meant to him.

 

[Acker79]

Average player ratings

Greer 8.50
Bridcutt 8.33
Ulloa 8.33
Bridge 7.67
Calderon 7.67
David Lopez 7.67 (88mins)
Hammond 7.67
Orlandi 7.67 (93mins)
Ankergren 7.33
Upson 7.33
Crofts 7.00

Subs
Dicker n/a (7mins)
Forster-Caskey n/a (2mins)

Team Average: 7.74