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Matchday Thread PNE v Middlesbrough -14-02-24 - KO:7.45PM - Championship

Matchday Thread PNE v Middlesbrough -14-02-24 - KO:7.45PM - Championship

Middlesbrough bossed the midfield all night and had 20 shots only scoring 1 with a Azas rocket. Praise should go to our back 3 with Browne in front for tackling and blocking shots as they overran us. This is a skill in itself which has seen out many wins this season. Lindsay was my man of the match before he left the field with an apparent injury. I thought Brady did well on his return to the side but having to switch Millar to the right didn’t really suit him as he’s much more effective on the left. He did give us the lead with a quick swerve and shot to the near post. Mads had a disappointing match but had the one brilliant turn and chipped pass that had the crowd purring. A late cameo appearance by Stewart was promising as he seems to have bulked up and made his presence felt.
Not a classic performance but a ground out 3 points.
 
Lee Trundle said:
Yeah been much improved over the last 3 games, but 7 goals from 9 shots on target just isn’t sustainable.
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We've relied on finishing the few chances we create, for most of the season. I'd assume Lowe believes that's part of the game plan he talks of.

But yes it's unsustainable and if we did ever find ourselves in the playoffs playing like this, I think we would be cannon fodder over two legs. So I do worry about the overall master plan.

Tonight if Issaiah Jones and Latte Lath had been available for Boro I think we would have really struggled. Definitely played them at the right time.
 
B(rad)P(otts)IG said:
Possibly worst performance of the season that but will absolutely take the win. Hopefully we’ve saved a decent performance for Saturday.
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I think that was far from the worst performance, we worked hard, I think Middlesbrough deserved something out of it, but we have had good games and got nowt. It’s how it goes sometimes.
 
northender0602 said:
I think that was far from the worst performance, we worked hard, I think Middlesbrough deserved something out of it, but we have had good games and got nowt. It’s how it goes sometimes.
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Yep, that's the Champ for you. Howson and Hackney played some good stuff and then Azaz has got a lot of flair. That said, if we'd have played as we can, I think we'd have won comfortably.

Despite a lot not coming off, we are clearly playing higher risk football now. Miller and Mads had moments of near magic but ended up giving it away in dangerous positions. You got the impression that Lowe has finally accepted that's how we should play, and at the moment it is paying dividends.

Lindsay was the best player on the pitch (quite often is when the oppo don't have a top quality forward) and hope he's OK. Greg did well, should be OK to do well against Rovers and then will probably break down again. Hughes just doesn't seem to cope with robust challenges, be it leg or shoulder.
 
It was tough going at times last night, but I thought we worked really hard, especially after losing Hughes so early. At one stage in the first half it seemed like we didn't touch the ball for about 10 minutes and I could only see one possible outcome at that stage.
There were some heroic performances. Cunningham was great off the bench, Brady was combative and in their faces, Mads was class making something out of not much, and Riis is getting back to business. Woodman's second half reaction save was terrific and Mrs Toni and I believed we were fated to win at that stage. Lindsay was outstanding again, and him going off was worrying. Whatmough stood in really well mind.
On the subject of subs, these worked really well. I liked the look of Stewart who could have scored at the end with a shot that was well blocked. It also seems that Lowe has developed a great sense of irony. Imagine getting Woodburn all stripped off and ready for action, and then slipping McCann on instead. Cheeky little tease.
 
northender0602 said:
I think that was far from the worst performance, we worked hard, I think Middlesbrough deserved something out of it, but we have had good games and got nowt. It’s how it goes sometimes.
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Seeing games out while not being at are best is what is important results wise. ok Boro should of scored couple more in 2nd half but they don't have any real forwards like last season.
So it's another good win and with the games to come against sides up there by end of March we will know where we are going.
 
Yoowell said:
Bloody awful great win.
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^^^This^^^

Still not quite worked out how we managed to win that game but a win is a win so of course we'll take it.

Felt sorry for the sponsors have to pick a MOTM. I genuinely couldn't think of anyone that had a decent game. Woodman made 1 fantastic save & that was about it.
 
Earlofcurl said:
Thought it was all over when they equalised but fair play to Lowe and the players they got back in front and held on. Not great but our early season luck seems to have returned. Two strikers off and two on worked well.
Felt sorry for Osmajic the other day but not now, after that missed chance.
Better born lucky than rich, as the saying goes.
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Early season form Deja Vu all over again
 
pne1881 said:
^^^This^^^

Still not quite worked out how we managed to win that game but a win is a win so of course we'll take it.

Felt sorry for the sponsors have to pick a MOTM. I genuinely couldn't think of anyone that had a decent game. Woodman made 1 fantastic save & that was about it.
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All the defense played a blinder. Storey was superd I thought.
 
Dreyfuss said:
It's three points, we were gritty, finished the two goals very well and we've now won three in a row. That's some big positives right there.

But it's very hard for me to enjoy the football on show. It feels like this squad has more to offer than these tactics are allowing.

But with the likes of Riis, Keane & Millar we know we have guys who can score goals. It's the general quality of passing which frustrates me. We really make hard work of things.

Just hope these mounting injuries and our cost neutral January, aren't gonna really hurt us in the coming weeks. But no matter what we should go into the Rovers game on a high.
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Two out of three passes completed is shameful for a professional footballer ..
 
Dick Dastardly said:
Middlesbrough bossed the midfield all night and had 20 shots only scoring 1 with a Azas rocket. Praise should go to our back 3 with Browne in front for tackling and blocking shots as they overran us. This is a skill in itself which has seen out many wins this season. Lindsay was my man of the match before he left the field with an apparent injury. I thought Brady did well on his return to the side but having to switch Millar to the right didn’t really suit him as he’s much more effective on the left. He did give us the lead with a quick swerve and shot to the near post. Mads had a disappointing match but had the one brilliant turn and chipped pass that had the crowd purring. A late cameo appearance by Stewart was promising as he seems to have bulked up and made his presence felt.
Not a classic performance but a ground out 3 points.
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I was impressed with Stewart .. that half chance he made for himself was impressive
 
Cristiano Babb said:
I hope someone has a clip of that Mads bit of skill in the second half,I cant explain what he did but it was quality and if you went on will know.
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If it was the one with about 10 minutes to go, it was as good a piece of football as I’ve seen all season. He beat two of their players by moving the ball very quickly and a feint or dummy, it was simply outstanding.
 
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