Boro - and worrying current trend presently

[Nosmo-King]

Had a look into the Under21's record this season to date - and pretty grim reading it was. Played 4, lost 4, league position 2nd bottom.

I believe I am right in saying they play in a similar way, to mirror the style, tactics of those employed by the senior squad. If so, here is another example of how Carrickball is clearly not working.

Should this be of concern? I would think so. Carrick is on record claiming no change in the way we are set up and perform.

Early days I know, but there are warning signs and red flags around us that, frankly, need both examining and acting on.

Carrick clearly isn't the man to implement this through a blind belief and sheer stubbornness.

I like Carrick, but my admiration is becoming diminished.

And for those who defend him by claiming we have more points than last season - frankly it is somewhat lame as last season our start was atrocious more akin to form of a relegation candidate.

It is a worrying state we have, and, I'm afraid it's been driven by a playing policy adopted by Carrick.

[erimus74]

Had a look into the Under21's record this season to date - and pretty grim reading it was. Played 4, lost 4, league position 2nd bottom.

I believe I am right in saying they play in a similar way, to mirror the style, tactics of those employed by the senior squad. If so, here is another example of how Carrickball is clearly not working.

Should this be of concern? I would think so. Carrick is on record claiming no change in the way we are set up and perform.

Early days I know, but there are warning signs and red flags around us that, frankly, need both examining and acting on.

Carrick clearly isn't the man to implement this through a blind belief and sheer stubbornness.

I like Carrick, but my admiration is becoming diminished.

And for those who defend him by claiming we have more points than last season - frankly it is somewhat lame as last season our start was atrocious more akin to form of a relegation candidate.

It is a worrying state we have, and, I'm afraid it's been driven by a playing policy adopted by Carrick.

Morning Nosmo-king, looking at that stat it does look concerning, when he first came it was nice on the eye, climbing the table scoring goals & with either automatic promotion or wembley within touching distance it looked like were in a fantasy football dream, tgen typucal Boro it collapsed & reality set in v Coventry & we havent challenged since

Im like you I really hope he's not stubborn enough to continue to struggle against defensively set up teams to try & prove his systen is the only way. When he came in after Wilder, who I never warmed to, he was like a breath of fresh air, I desperately want him to succeed here but as I posted yesterday, most managers will only get 3, 4 seasons at one club then their ideas, methods are old hat, hopefully he's clever enough to realise he needs that something extra starting on saturday against a team, we know will be ugly to play against, a team Carrick s team havent beaten

[Redsteel (Moderator)]

My concern as mentioned previously, is not replacing Danks. Not knocking MC's brother, I don't know much about him and he may very well be a good coach. However, it reeks of nepotism, especially when we are in a current downtrend. Changes are needed in the starting eleven, Mcgree on the left Doaks on the right with Gilbert being given a proper shot in the 10 position. LL benched also for Conway. Just my thoughts.

[erimus74]

My concern as mentioned previously, is not replacing Danks. Not knocking MC's brother, I don't know much about him and he may very well be a good coach. However, it reeks of nepotism, especially when we are in a current downtrend. Changes are needed in the starting eleven, Mcgree on the left Doaks on the right with Gilbert being given a proper shot in the 10 position. LL benched also for Conway. Just my thoughts.

100% agree on Gilbert, how he was dropped after his Leeds performance for the static, at times invisable Azaz, is beyond me

Never really took notice of Danks till he was gone & people renarking on it, hopefully we can replace his knowledge on the training pitch

Doak to start & even if, dear me, a half fit McGree is available, get him on

[BoroRedKen]

I had not thought about mirroring in u21s etc.

Then i thought about when i play FM24.

I instruct the U21s and U18s to play the same tactics as the 1st team to have ready made round pegs for round holes. So maybe managers do the same in IRL.

Anybody watch the under teams?
Is there a simillar play with them as with the seniors?.

[Redsteel (Moderator)]

Erimus, I understand Carrick sticking with Azaz, he's clearly a player he wanted bringing in for that 10 Role. He needs dropping now, he's had his chance and Gilbert should be given his, he's deserved a run. He can and will use Azaz throughout the season I'm sure as we need to rotate with the amount of games we play. I just hope stubbornness isn't MC's downfall, I'd like to think he was more intelligent than that.

[TerryCochranesSocks]

Azaz annoys me to death.

[erimus74]

Erimus, I understand Carrick sticking with Azaz, he's clearly a player he wanted bringing in for that 10 Role. He needs dropping now, he's had his chance and Gilbert should be given his, he's deserved a run. He can and will use Azaz throughout the season I'm sure as we need to rotate with the amount of games we play. I just hope stubbornness isn't MC's downfall, I'd like to think he was more intelligent than that.

And thats why I don't buy in to all this baloney xG rubbish about this is player & that player, before the Sunderland game they were talking about how influential he is to us, then he had a stinker, as he did v Preston, though man marked, but he's not been at it for me this season & as we all agree on, just freshen up the payers coming in, is he to loyal, or stubborn

Hopefully, fingers & toes crossed Saturday evening we're all happy, we've played well, picked up 3 points & feel like that MC did show us know alls that he is right & just a little tweak is needed

UTMB

[Nosmo-King]

Doak could well be the spark needed. Has to start IMO. A bit of pace, exuberance and energy - all attributes currently needed.