Middlesbrough (a); The Review

Random star performer

It’s obvious by now, on the cusp of promotion, that in this campaign Herrs Farke and Webber have expected and prepared for everything (bar perhaps their degree of success). Nothing random occurs on their watch so I’ll willfully misread the heading as ‘Randolph star performer’ and as with the game at our place in September he was; superb reflex saves from Pukki and Hernandez made for a scoreline flattering the home team.

If the editor insists I go random let’s hear it for Parmo; Teeside’s breaded-chicken-in-cheese-sauce delicacy has a protected status at the Riverside Away End, available only at the most easterly concession adjacent to the Home Fan concourse and not advertised on the menu boards. Well worth tracking down fellow gastro fans, but redundant advice unless Boro advance to the EPL with us via the playoffs. Unlikely unless they start scoring soon

Moment of the match

The ball’s magical magnetic relationship with Hernandez’s feet for the goal. It was spirited into the box, attracted back after a brief diversion and then got forced past Randolph as Onel flicked the polarity switch. The strike involved a Shotton nutmegging and the brief diversion included a back-heel from Buendia. Had a similar move paid off later all bets would be off for promotion and frankly – if that audacious back-heeled nutmeg assist from Hernandez hadn’t been sent wide by Emi – the EFL may well have been investigating NCFC for match-fixing by sorcery.

I’ve routinely taken a dim view of flashy match day tekkers – and mates are familiar with my often-aired indictment of Steven Naismith for his showboating back-heel that gifted a route back into the 4-5 loss to Liverpool. A game that could have signaled early 2016 as the beginning of a restart to that Canaries’ season, instead marking the beginning of the end. I’ll admit to shoe-horning this inner eye roll into many an NCFC rambling (therapy perhaps) but its relevance here is justified. Naismith was a transfer window ‘name’ signing – he’d scored a hat trick against Chelsea after all. And that’s the way he seemed to play (2 i’s in his surname and the lack of in ‘Team’ is well documented). Naismith’s careless assertion of himself over the playing unit just wouldn’t happen in the current set up. For these players back-heels, and calm hooks off the line (another momentous move of the game from the awesome Zimbo) are simply tools in an abundant armoury, not exercises in flamboyant one-upmanship.

Ooh – on trickery – it turns out the Buendia lifted back leg assist showcased v Hull is the spit of a Yoga move called King Dancer. https://www.yogaoutlet.com/guides/how-to-do-king-dancer-pose-in-yoga

I left Boro with BBC Tees Sport on the car radio and ex-Boro midfielder Neil Maddison clearly swiping left for most of Boro’s players as he bemoaned the Reds’ lack of movement and firepower in spite of names like Assombalonga and Mikel on the team sheet. There were right swipes for Pukki, Hernandez and co as their creativity and energy had Maddison drooling

“I haven’t heard of any of them barring Tim Krul”

“I’d like to know how much that team cost”.

So much for names. Btw Neil, yesterday’s Norwich 11 cost less than lb5M.

Farke watch

Stuart Webber has already hinted that given promotion, the game plan wouldn’t change significantly. Farke echoed that after a crucial victory that sets elevation to the world’s most prestigious footballing stage just a handful of victories away (an absolute maximum of 5 but likely to be fewer). In case we were in any doubt, we now know we won’t see a cagey end of season guarding of the 7 point safety zone between top and 3rd and automatic promotion v play off place. Nor would/will our Premier League season be characterised as a turgid Hughtonesque attempt to seal 17th spot at worst. The Farkeball party looks set to continue well into next term. Zany Face emoji and Face with Open Mouth and Cold Sweat emoji.

Biggest positive to take

Note to Editor – this heading has become as redundant as ‘Random star performer’ but the result at Bramall Lane ahead of the Riverside kick off was pretty marvellous.

Weekend whinge(rs)

So the folks around me yesterday were also aware of the cushion afforded by Bristol City’s victory and yet still, still, still … there was an echoing grumble as Randolph smothered Pukki’s shot following a slip from Shotton on halfway: “He can’t not score that” (repeated at least 6 times).

People – he not only has not scored that, he can not score it and we will win the game. Moreover he can not score it and we will seal automatic promotion in a matter of weeks. Unquestionably it’s frustrating being surrounded by those for whom, unlike pigeons, rats and dogs, exposure to repeated experience does not generate expectation. Believe, rejoice, salivate!

Atmosphere rating

1.5k Away (and it is Far Away), with a great range of songs. A shout out here to the valiant effort from a few folks near the back to get the Stiepi song into the mass consciousness – words on Twitter please? Also we lack a Jamal song – anyone?

One caveat from this rarified position atop the table with the aforementioned cushion is that Daniel and the team have already committed to no complacency and no let up, and we should do the same. If ever there’s a time for noise it’s now; against QPR, Reading, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke.Once those are won we can stop. As if (the stopping, not the winning).

Summary

Boro battered Norwich for the first 20 minutes and steady possession was virtually impossible. As usual the players soaked it up knowing that the intensity wouldn’t be sustained far beyond the first half. Each game recently seems to bring something improved in the performance – and yesterday it was in defending. Set pieces and everything! A wonderful victory of what on paper looked the hardest game of the run in. 7 to go. Hopefully promotion v Stoke or Blackburn.