Match Thread Coventry City - Middlesbrough Match Thread - Monday 16th Feb (48 Viewers)

[mmttww]

Not sure what Thomas and Kitching have done to deserve to come straight in tbh.

Played in the team that was top of the league for a chunk of the season, making easily observable contributions with and without the ball. Both deserved to be dropped to get a msg across. I don't think we win on Mon with Latibeaudiere and Woolfenden. Happy to be proven wrong, but that's my take.

 

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[shmmeee]

Played in the team that was top of the league for a chunk of the season, making easily observable contributions with and without the ball. Both deserved to be dropped to get a msg across. I don't think we win on Mon with Latibeaudiere and Woolfenden. Happy to be proven wrong, but that's my take.

What in your opinion would Lats and Woolf do differently to keep their place? If nothing what message does that send? “They were in the team when we were doing well and that matters but them being in the team when we are doing badly doesn’t” seems like some motivated reasoning. Oxford or not the fact is Kitching and Thomas have been conceding goals regularly that they individually are to blame for for weeks.

 

[clint van damme]

What in your opinion would Lats and Woolf do differently to keep their place? If nothing what message does that send? “They were in the team when we were doing well and that matters but them being in the team when we are doing badly doesn’t” seems like some motivated reasoning. Oxford or not the fact is Kitching and Thomas have been conceding goals regularly that they individually are to blame for for weeks.

Lati and Wolfenden did well in a backs to the wall 10 man rear guard action v Southampton and on Saturday when they had virtually nothing to do.

Monday will be nothing like either of those games and Kitching and Thomas have done well in games which will be more akin to what we can expect v boro.

Though I take your point about their recent performances.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a mix and match approach with Kitching and Lati starting.

 

[stupot07]

What in your opinion would Lats and Woolf do differently to keep their place? If nothing what message does that send? “They were in the team when we were doing well and that matters but them being in the team when we are doing badly doesn’t” seems like some motivated reasoning. Oxford or not the fact is Kitching and Thomas have been conceding goals regularly that they individually are to blame for for weeks.

It's so difficult because Oxford offered nothing, there were some noticeable differences having those 2 in defense though - they play much slower and safer than Thomas and Kitching, yes that can get us into trouble, but Kitching in particular brings the ball into midfield a lot and hits a little of switches, and the lack of attacking presence from set pieces.

Their two best games were Oxford who offered nothing, and Southampton to which we were backs to the wall defending the box having gone down to 10 men, so they didn't have to worry about movement or pace running in behind.

 

[Ipad Boro]

no offence but hope you’re right, should be a cracker

None taken, it's in your benefit to do so.

On paper it should be a great match at least. Either we turn up and Hellball the thing like against the Blades or, aided and abetted by the power of Hoodoo, the Cov from October suddenly rocks up instead and performs out of their boots, earning a win or at least a high score draw if that doesn't happen.

Or I suppose it could also be an absolute 0-0 snoozefest. But in reality I think that's the least likely result going.

 

[skybluelee]

None taken, it's in your benefit to do so.

On paper it should be a great match at least. Either we turn up and Hellball the thing like against the Blades or, aided and abetted by the power of Hoodoo, the Cov from October suddenly rocks up instead and performs out of their boots, earning a win or at least a high score draw if that doesn't happen.

Or I suppose it could also be an absolute 0-0 snoozefest. But in reality I think that's the least likely result going.

Oh mate, we're not keeping a clean sheet.

 

[shmmeee]

It's so difficult because Oxford offered nothing, there were some noticeable differences having those 2 in defense though - they play much slower and safer than Thomas and Kitching, yes that can get us into trouble, but Kitching in particular brings the ball into midfield a lot and hits a little of switches, and the lack of attacking presence from set pieces.

Their two best games were Oxford who offered nothing, and Southampton to which we were backs to the wall defending the box having gone down to 10 men, so they didn't have to worry about movement or pace running in behind.

We’ve not lost a game or conceded more than one while Lats has played and that includes two parachute clubs and Millwall. Genuinely curious what people want to see other than him perform when asked to. Your argument seems to be “they were good when they had nothing to do and when they had lots to do so it doesn’t count” and I honestly don’t get it.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

Played in the team that was top of the league for a chunk of the season, making easily observable contributions with and without the ball. Both deserved to be dropped to get a msg across. I don't think we win on Mon with Latibeaudiere and Woolfenden. Happy to be proven wrong, but that's my take.

Played in the team that has dropped so many points since end of Nov. Sending off, giving ball away easily. Neither have been on form for 6/7 weeks.

 

[Graham64]

It's so difficult because Oxford offered nothing, there were some noticeable differences having those 2 in defense though - they play much slower and safer than Thomas and Kitching, yes that can get us into trouble, but Kitching in particular brings the ball into midfield a lot and hits a little of switches, and the lack of attacking presence from set pieces.

Their two best games were Oxford who offered nothing, and Southampton to which we were backs to the wall defending the box having gone down to 10 men, so they didn't have to worry about movement or pace running in behind.

For half a game at Southampton they had to worry about people running in behind

 

[MAC]

Can’t wait sorry Nick!

Tank
Tank Tank Tank Tank
Tank Tank
Tank Tank Tank
Bamford

SPARE TICKET COV V MIDDLES
NORTH STAND

 

[robbiethemole]

Hellberg Manager of the month and Browne Player award, let’s hope the curse is still in effect for them

edit; oops, only nominated, wishful thinking hahaha

 

[HJones23]

This very much has a shit of bust feel about it even though nothing will be decided off the back of the result. Boro will be flying, but its the type of match I would expect us to be well up for so confident we at least avoid defeat. It's the following week at WBA & away to Sheff Utd that worry me more.

I think Latts deserves to keep his place, but I would like to see Thomas back in the side. Simms has also got to start, even if it's just to light a fire under Haji for a 30 minute cameo similar to Leicester.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

None taken, it's in your benefit to do so.

On paper it should be a great match at least. Either we turn up and Hellball the thing like against the Blades or, aided and abetted by the power of Hoodoo, the Cov from October suddenly rocks up instead and performs out of their boots, earning a win or at least a high score draw if that doesn't happen.

Or I suppose it could also be an absolute 0-0 snoozefest. But in reality I think that's the least likely result going.

There is no ‘hoodoo’. We’ve just beaten you a few times over the last few years during times where we’ve either been a better side or been in better form. Our historical head to head record has us dead even and you’ve beaten us 3 times since we were promoted back to the Championship.

 

[skybluelee]

SPARE TICKET COV V MIDDLES
NORTH STAND
[email protected]

Sounds legit

 

[mmttww]

What in your opinion would Lats and Woolf do differently to keep their place? If nothing what message does that send?

quote below sums up why I'd change back and tbh I don't give a f*ck what msg it sends to the two dropping out. I want us to win on Mon and I don't see that happening with the same CBs as vs. Oxford.

Lati and Wolfenden did well in a backs to the wall 10 man rear guard action v Southampton and on Saturday when they had virtually nothing to do.

Monday will be nothing like either of those games and Kitching and Thomas have done well in games which will be more akin to what we can expect v boro.

I'm more on your side of the argument than I think you appreciate re: Thomas and Kitching's defensive shortcomings but all that's on my mind is how we're most likely to get a result on Mon.

 

[PVA]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a mix and match approach with Kitching and Lati starting.

Or Thomas and Woolfenden, which is what I think I would do.

 

[Gint11]

I want us to try Thomas and Wolf together too. Nothing against Kitch, I’d just like us to try it.

Mad how consistent Thomas and Kitch were after we signed Wolf

 

[clint van damme]

Or Thomas and Woolfenden, which is what I think I would do.

Just can't get past the nagging feeling that there's something more to Thomas's recent petulance

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

Just can't get past the nagging feeling that there's something more to Thomas's recent petulance

Head turned in the window you mean? Or an inability to handle a pressurised environment?

 

[clint van damme]

Head turned in the window you mean? Or an inability to handle a pressurised environment?

No idea what, but the sending off at blues and booking at qpr could possibly be down to either.
Or it could just be me reading too much into it

 

[Gynnsthetonic]

All tickets sold looking at it just now, a full house to get us the result!

 

[fernandopartridge]

I wouldn't be against Thomas and Kitching returning even though on recent form neither particularly deserves it, but, in mitigation, they would benefit from the tighter structure we showed against Oxford like Lati and Wolf did.

 

[Gynnsthetonic]

Just can't get past the nagging feeling that there's something more to Thomas's recent petulance

Isn't he staying at the Vilage hotel after losing his driving licence

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

My prediction is that we’ll win by 2 goals.

 

[edgy]

Back to Back clean sheets would be a encouraging. We haven't done that since our pomp in October, where we did 5 on the bounce.

 

[clint van damme]

Back to Back clean sheets would be a encouraging. We haven't done that since our pomp in October, where we did 5 on the bounce.

I think I'm right to say that we haven't dropped points in back to back home games since Lampard first came so I think it would be a real blow to do it now, that's why I'm on the @Tommo1993 must win bus

 

[Ipad Boro]

There is no ‘hoodoo’. We’ve just beaten you a few times over the last few years during times where we’ve either been a better side or been in better form. Our historical head to head record has us dead even and you’ve beaten us 3 times since we were promoted back to the Championship.

6 wins on the bounce for you in our head to heads wouldn't be surprising IF you were Man City and we were Hartlepool United, but it is given that we've had strength not that dissimilar to each other over the past 3 years.

Now such a Hoodoo can work it's way out due to various reasons. A side can underperform on the day, a side can overperform. An injury list may rear it's head. The ref may be shit. Or just plain bad luck, the bounce of the ball etc. Whatever the reason, and I'd say that you overperforming, us underperforming, the mother of all injury lists and plain bad luck have all reared their heads during this run (the refs surprisingly haven't had complete howlers that I remember, so that's something) 6 wins one way on the bounce between 2 sides that aren't a bad match up is certainly in Hoodoo territory.

That's not taking anything away from your performances in those games, quite the opposite for indeed you've played very well as a rule. But that's part and parcel of the Hoodoo.

 

[Captain Dart]

Must win.

I predict...
Rushworth
MVE Thomas Kitch DaSilva
Onyenka Grimes
Saka Eccles|Torp EMC

 

[Viktor17]

Isn't he staying at the Vilage hotel after losing his driving licence

May be correct.

Certainly been some off field stuff affecting another important member of squad (not being ITK) just circumstance how aware. Again just a reminder the players are not doing this on purpose (loosing form/games) they want it bad. But they are just human like rest of us.

Just gotta hope its clicks somehow. This is the perfect game actually for that.

Its a must game for Onyeka.

 

[Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon]

No idea what, but the sending off at blues and booking at qpr could possibly be down to either.
Or it could just be me reading too much into it

Wild conspiracy and getting carried away with things is one of the fundamental joys of being a football fan.

I think he's cracked a bit under the pressure, maybe a few of them have. If anyone can teach them how to deal with this kind of situation you'd hope it'd be Lampard. Fingers crossed they can chase hard now theyve surrendered the massive lead, not sure i'll cope with another season of play-off angst!

 

[Mr Panda]

Isn't he staying at the Vilage hotel after losing his driving licence

Really? I've seen both Kitching and Thomas there on a few occasions now. Just assumed it's where they stay ahead of a home game.

 

[alexccfc99]

Isn't he staying at the Vilage hotel after losing his driving licence

Surely the media would have picked up on a current professional footballer being convicted of driving offences?

 

[Potbellypig]

Really? I've seen both Kitching and Thomas there on a few occasions now. Just assumed it's where they stay ahead of a home game.

Is Kitching still living in Barnsley?

 

[mmttww]

Played in the team that has dropped so many points since end of Nov. Sending off, giving ball away easily.

so did a lot of players. Not like we can or will drop most of our first XI, though. Kone made these two look like children vs. QPR so I supported dropping them 100% but let's be honest, if 'Boro had been the next game, not Oxford, he's not starting Latibeaudiere and Woolfenden. He had a chance to make a point with less risk and he took it. Point has been made. Back to picking our best fit XI for 'Boro.

 

[shmmeee]

so did a lot of players. Not like we can or will drop most of our first XI, though. Kone made these two look like children vs. QPR so I supported dropping them 100% but let's be honest, if 'Boro had been the next game, not Oxford, he's not starting Latibeaudiere and Woolfenden. He had a chance to make a point with less risk and he took it. Point has been made. Back to picking our best fit XI for 'Boro.

I’m just worried that if we don’t play our best defenders against a team scoring for fun it won’t matter how many great crossfield passes or headers from corners they win.