Well done boro

[crookie]

They made football look so easy.

When attacking. Do a goal.
When defending. Work your arse off.

Simples!

Yep, and what impressed me, at 3-0 up, late on, still chasing and harrying our defenders in possession, what energy, and determination to snuff us out from building from the back. Quite a few aimless long balls today because we didn't have any time on the ball, first minute to last. That said, all their goals could/should not have happened, however, we didn't deserve anything from the game

 

[JBizzle]

No shame in defeat today. Huge injuries, two really tough preceding away matches and facing a very good team on good form.

If someone had said to me in August, "you'll be top 4 guaranteed at Christmas, having lost only to Boro" I'd have taken that in a flash.

It's now about how we react in defeat. Roll on Brentford, the transfer window and welcoming back our injured players!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

They were very strong today and overall a fair result I felt. Quite obviously the best team we have faced this season.

Strangely I don't feel that annoyed after the game though as we have had an incredible season so far and we are absolutely ravaged by injuries (and suspension today) so it was always going to he tough. I was far more frustrated after the Derby and QPR games.

I am disappointed with Dunk though as I feel if he had played today those goals might not have gone in?

Overall though, great season so far ( I still can't believe our first league loss was on the 19th December!) players to come back from injury and more recruits in January so lot's to be positive about and hopefully a strong second half of the season to follow.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I missed the first 30 minutes but for the last hour they were excellent. Comfortably better than anyone we've played so far. At the beginning of the season we all thought that the two to beat would be Derby and Middlesbrough. We played Derby away last week and they were lucky to get a point out of the game. Today we were nowhere near getting a point. Being down to the proverbial bare bones and clearly being tired didn't help our cause but even at our best I think we would have struggled to get much out of Middlesbrough based on their performance today. Hope they go up automatically so we don't have to worry about them if we end up in the play offs.

 

[Peter Grummit]

Santa hats off to 'Boro. I knew they were solid but more than that today, too good for us. Great turnout from the away fans, although I would be confident the majority travelled from more locally than the NE. Teeside above anywhere is somewhere many have to move from to get a decent job.

We have to see this result in the context of the whole season, though, which has been fantastic. I am sure we will see a reaction at Brentford, bring it on.

PG

 

[ofco8]

Have to agree with all the above. Boro' were definitely the better team on the day.

We are still unbeaten away from home though. Let us keep that going!!!

 

[the wanderbus]

Boro were well disciplined, intelligent and resolute with their game plan. I can't see how anyone can say we were totally outplayed, outthought more like.But for some very poor defending that could easily finished 0-0, it wasn't as if it looked like they could score at will although their defence snuffed out any hopes of us looking like we might score.That said it'll be an exceptional side that finishes above them.

 

[Hastings gull]

Tough side. Manically well organised and powerful. Going behind to them is a nightmare for anyone in this division. Bullied us at set plays and were defensively very good. Hats off to them.
As for us just need to look at bouncing back. This season has been incredible. If someone told me I would not see a defeat till the week before Christmas I would have laughed. Injuries are taking their toll and if we want to stay near the top a few extra quality players are needed. But 3 points off the top at Christmas. Not all bad hey. I would have snapped your hand off

Absolutely. they were very good and all credit to them, though I did also think that from the very first minute Albion did not look as if they had any belief, which is odd, as they have proven to be so resilient this year. So, on to the next game and regardless of today, an away win is essential and it will be a real test of CH's management skills, as to how the team reacts at Brentford. Will they accept that this was a one-off against the best time in the league and look to press on, or implode. Then there are two home games, players returning, the transfer window, and the breathing space afforded by the cup, which at least might give SB and KLL game time, so it is not all bad news by any means. Glad to see as yet, there is by and large no moaning binfest. We have lost a game, which we all knew would happen at some stage, so get over it and then onwards and hopefully upwards.

 

[Mackenzie]

Yep. No complaints, sometimes you come up against a team who are better than yours. Well played 'Boro.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Hats off to them, they were a class above anyone else we've played this season without having to get out of second gear. We were ravaged by injuries which didn't help.

I think this is the first time I've been thoroughly annoyed at Hughton's handling of a game though. To go up against the top of the table side using a 442 at home was arrogant at best (and at worst, ignorant and idiotic) considering the style/formation they play. To not change the system when 2 - 0 down at half time to give us more in midfield compounded the issue.

So well done to 'Boro, but Hughton really ought to look at his game management following today.

 

[drew]

Hats off to them, they were a class above anyone else we've played this season without having to get out of second gear. We were ravaged by injuries which didn't help.

I think this is the first time I've been thoroughly annoyed at Hughton's handling of a game though. To go up against the top of the table side using a 442 at home was arrogant at best (and at worst, ignorant and idiotic) considering the style/formation they play. To not change the system when 2 - 0 down at half time to give us more in midfield compounded the issue.

So well done to 'Boro, but Hughton really ought to look at his game management following today.

You say that but our best spell was for about 10/15 minutes after half time. That was when we needed to get a goal back.

That said, they were clearly more hungry for it than we were. They were pressing us early and we kept giving the ball away. Thought VLP and Murphy were poor. The only thing Murphy did was the shot which was probably easier to save that it was made to look. Should have gone low and hard at near post. A lot of the crosses failed to get past the first defender.

 

[LamieRobertson]

They bossed us they bullied us they beat us

 

[Return of the Rev]

Yep, our players didn't show up and Boro made it look very easy. They look a very good side.

We desperately need Bong, Rosenior, Baldock and KLL back.

We need players that can take a corner and players that can defend corners also would be a good idea to put free kicks into the danger zone rather than playing keep ball,looked like the players thought our record would protect them. Too much throwing themselves on the floor when losing the ball, As for the support for our biggest game this season 2/10 all round today

 

[Turkey]

No complaints, lost to the better side.

Thought we looked a bit leggy, really hope we send the reserves to Hull in the cup.

 

[smogmonsta]

Alright lads
Totally outplayed today to be honest
21 games unbeaten we were expecting a far more competitive game than that to be honest
But like mentioned, came up against a decent team AT LAST
Long way to go,onwards and upwards seagulls

 

[JCL666]

Clayton and Leadbitter were very good.

 

[Return of the Rev]

No complaints, lost to the better side.

Thought we looked a bit leggy, really hope we send the reserves to Hull in the cup.

The reason they were the better side is because we were **** today! Not even top 6 on this showing.

 

[Seagull58]

Alright lads
Totally outplayed today to be honest
21 games unbeaten we were expecting a far more competitive game than that to be honest
But like mentioned, came up against a decent team AT LAST
Long way to go,onwards and upwards seagulls

You were a knob on the other thread. Not much better this time. F**K off now.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

It turns 'they' were right, the Albion hadn't played anyone decent this season - until now.

Lets just hope we have a better squad when we play them in return leg.

If i was playing in the stripes today i would want the last laugh back at their place, our boys must be gutted.

 

[Phat Baz 68]

Well done Boro for your victory today.
But by no way the best side thats been here this season so far.

Oh and well done to the few thousand that starting walking out on their team when they needed them most, the first on 72 minutes !
I'm sure the lads really loved that and enjoyed seeing all the rats leaving a sinking ship FFS Appalling !!