Middlesbrough v Celtic Algarve Challenge Cup Thread

Bit of a borefest all round.

I thought Donati did OK when he came on but as usual he could have done a lot more off the ball.He looked very static,hardly ever speeding up from a very slow jog.I cringed at that attempted slide tackle and didn't really bust his gut to get into the box when we were on the attack.I think he was decent on the ball though but he just doesn't look hungry.

Scott Brown is still having no impact on games but it's only pre season I suppose.I thought Paul McGowan did alright as well.From watching the Reserves there's no doubting his technical ability or intelligence but he really need to bulk up.McGeady faded badly in the second half.

 

What about mark bendy arms wilson ,not celtic caliber at all however he does try

 

1stly. yea it was only for the match fitness, and add to that a lot of the time it was a tactical steping on toes in the midfield, shifting the centre lines sort of a game (felt like 75 to 80 mins of the match). but i seen andy still looking good working good on his devense side and never fears goin up the park and creating a good cross or two, but more important he doesnt peek his * when its going to * hes right back where hes posed to be. barry did a great job too once again kept the spirit, went for the ball and always on the move around( thats just besides his freekicks ). aiden was cracking in his usuall explosive way, but lost a bit of the energy in the 2nd.
donati stilll doesnt look hungry or "creative" ( except that one time he flicked it on well, but then he got laid:icon_mrgreen: ) and also scott dont look all the best yet, but there im in no real worries, as theres a good while to get is * moving again...aye yea! sammy!? guess when seasion begins * be still playin the jokers. if he doesnt stack it up.
...still a pre-season!

 

match fitness my * go out there and win bhoys losing is for mugs

 

mind u none lost 2night!

 

Good call

 

true true mate but DID WE WIN

 

nope, but settle this one for a training match.

got to admit tho, there is some silverware to win...well, its still on for us!

 

i thought he was ok, as for * rangers make caldwell and mcmanus look *. neither can win a header big cousin slaps them about like school boys. rangers proved that at parkhead 2 corners 2 goals any team who plays a big forward against our defence will cause us big problems. rangers play velicka and cousin in any old firm game we are in trouble cause they will just bully us unless we get a good ball winner in the air.

 

What if they play Miller though

 

we aint catching him but he aint hiting the target.......so lets hope he plays!!!

 

my exact thoughts as soon as i saw it go in

 

Yup Zamora is a big guy and caused us problems all game for fulham.

 

I agree re: McGowan. He last lovely technique but if he really needs to beef up - get him on an all protein eggs and steak 5000 Calorie a day diet with 4 hours pumping iron. Needs to add about 2 stone of muscle. Wee Shaun really bulked himself up despite his wee size and that made a big difference.

 

Also agree Brown is really playing within himself. Just always playing the safe ball. He has the ability absolutely no doubt. I suppose he hasnt had much game time in a long time seeing as he lost his place a couple of months before the end of the season. Got to say I like the Aidan-Hartley-Brown-Robson midfield on paper - loads of stength and skill. Robson has most of what Naka has plus far more strenght and fight. So I think the big question is whether it will be that midfield or last years Aidan-Harley-Robson-Naka one. Both have a nice balace of skill and toughness. Maybe play the first one in extra tough games where we need more fight.

 

Mark Brown is the worst Celts keeper in 35 years. Absolutely shocking.

Bottled it for Boro's "goal".

Thought Bobo played OK considering lack of fitness / match action.

Awful game, but at least we scored

 

Aidan-Hartley-Brown-Robson
is obviously a more physical line up, a more defending one. but still the combination with naka and robson is just way more creative, aiden and naka on the wings (even if naka fires it centre) then there is barry who also drives up front from the centre just. last but not least paul is strong moving forward and backward, also very physical.
..having said that, scott if he is getting in the game, can also drive forward nicely but the touch of naka is just better. all in all both are good variations, show the squads strength and flexibility.

 

Samaras was fooking pish last night!! He looks lazy in both thought & effort. His touch is * & he can't really put a decent header in.

He does not track back much at all & does not press the defense when we're not in possession.

He's only young, has dropped his wages quite a bit (if papers are right) & wanted to come here...but

He has no chance in * of dislodging Skippy or JVoH in the 1st eleven.

He really needs to work on his game BIGTIME if he want to put pressure on the strikers, I'd even go so far as to say McGowan has a better prospect of breaking up the strikers if given a chance.

Mind you he is probably a decent sub as JVoH struggles to play a whole game effectively.