COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Boro (A)

By Ken Buckley : 02/01/2008 :

Comments (8) :

Another three points on the road from a dull and dismal rainsodden Riverside. The game just about matched the dismal day especially a first half devoid of virtually everything a football match should contain.

A crossshot from Downing that Jags diverted away and a scuffed affair from Faddy that got deflected which caused the keeper to scurry and that was about it. The half wasnt helped by the ground being about half full and both sets of fans quite quiet.

The second half started much brighter with Boro having a couple of possible chances that came to nothing. The game went on in this vein until near the hour mark when Tuncay got in and despite a last gasp slide by Jags got in a cross cum shot that Lescott headed off the line but only to O'Neil who fired in a shot that produced an excellent save from Howard.

From that moment the Blues came to life and both passing and movement was quicker. The manager redied Vaughan on the touchline which seemed to be the cue for Yak to burst into life and pick a fine pass to Pienaar who had just got his foot to it when AJ took it off him, went around Huth and slotted a fine goal across and beyond the keeper.

The Boro heads went down, Vaughan's tracksuit went back on, the fans sang and you could just sense there would be only one outcome. Boro were looking tired now and shortly after Johnson's goal a tired mispass from Downing found Faddy who went at their defence, exchanged passes with AJ and slotted home... 2-0; game over.

The two goals we had scored seemed out of keeping with the rest of the game as they were well worked, slick and clinical. With injury, suspension and sickness biting hard, it was pleasing to see we have the depth of squad to see off the likes of Boro but whether that depth has sufficient quality to see off those further up the table is another question.

When it came to Man of the Match, Lescott stood head and shoulders above any other player on the pitch but I would give my Man of the Match to Jags for putting behind him his performance against Arsenal and giving a much more assured one today.

Overall, I thought we did enough to secure the points and it was encouraging to see that, once we did raise our game, we looked streets ahead of Boro.

Into injury time Moysie took Pienaar off, was that in case of a moment of madness? FA cup on Saturday v Oldham. I eargerly await seeing the line-up. All the best to you all. UP THE BLUES

Reader Comments

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Chris Lawlor
1 Posted 02/01/2008 at 15:13:06

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Great summary Ken. Agree with your point on jags, He was in fine form yesterday and his goal line clearance was as good as a goal for us. When I saw the line up at the beginning I feared we?d scrape a draw but the boys dug deep again and our class eventually shone through. IMWT.

Clyde McPhatter
2 Posted 02/01/2008 at 16:01:00

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I know it is strange to take Steve P. off with seconds left, but he should have been off earlier because he is sitting on 4 yellows, and I could just see him getting a tired fifth yellow right at the death. I know he probably will not play on Saturday in the Cup (??) but we hae a small squad at the moment and didnt need someone else going out due to suspension.

Andy Mac
3 Posted 02/01/2008 at 16:10:02

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I forgot Peanuts was on four yellows. Just a thought. If he picks up another one in his last game before he trots off to the ANC, will he not serve his "suspension" in his absence, and come back with a clean sheet? Hmm... a tug on a shirt called for in the 90th minute of his final game?

Amanda Huddleston
4 Posted 02/01/2008 at 17:14:31

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Whan is the yellow card amnesty?

Is it wnd of Jan that they go back to 0 for all?

Mike Norris
5 Posted 02/01/2008 at 21:01:59

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Agree that Lescott was our MOTM, head and shoulders above them all. Peinaar was energetic although he overdid the fancy stuff at times, McFadden caused problems and thank goodness Tim saved that certain goal - the game’s turning point. Yak was booed at every turn, and in the 1st half hardly got any change out of Woodgate who I thought was excellent btw or Huth. He did improve in the 2nd and Nlues fan’s neatly echoed the Boro Pigbag theme tune using AJ’s name as the lyric ;-) when the goals went in

PS: I have a good friend who is a massive Boro fan and he kindly took me on his extra season ticket. Great view from exactly on halfway, and to my mind a pretty decent stadium with no obstructed views anywhere, miles better than Ayresome Park and a decent Balti Pie at HT.

PPS: Mike Riley’s performance was eccentric - Boro fans mear me went troppo over his decision makiing

Malcolm Bell
6 Posted 03/01/2008 at 03:49:36

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Surely Moyes was subbing with minutes to go to just to waste time. Jagielka was fabulous against Bolton, at first I had him to blame against Arsenal but where the hell was Yobo? It seemed Jagielka was playing both first and second defender.

Tom Davies
7 Posted 04/01/2008 at 13:48:06

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Twice this season we?ve had not too great a game against Boro with a clean sheet, 2 goals and 3 points. Until that 1st goal the highlight of the game for me was a nice hot bovril at half time.

That game was proof that if you give Faddy a chance he will perform, I hope Moyes gives him a proper run in the team now while the African Nations is on, I promise you he will be more consistent and will show why Celtic want him so much.

P.S
Did anyone else get caught up after the game by the police blocking the carparks off?

ParkEnder
8 Posted 04/01/2008 at 19:45:32

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This kirby talk is doin my head right in. Please call the whole thing off for the sake of our beloved club. The chairman is wrecking the club.

F**k kirby

Ajamu Mutumwa
9 Posted 05/01/2008 at 16:42:07

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Perhaps the most boring match I have seen from us in a long time. I’ve always remained positive, even in adversity, but this match really tested my patience. I am really glad we won, but apart from the slickness of the goals the most exciting part was me stopping myself slopping off me seat.

Main point is that its our second "double" of the season, and that must be welcomed.