17.12.2011
CCFC 2 v 3 MIDDLESBORO
In the build up to this one, as
well as some reasonably well-founded hype surrounding the relative merits of
two teams separated by a gnat’s nasal hair at the top of the division and
within a bee’s sneeze of the top two, there was a fair bit of unhealthy and
unhelpful reflecting on the last Boro home game at the back end of our last
doomed campaign which you may recall didn’t quite go to plan (specifics not
required).
Amidst all the handwringing,
finger-pointing and navel-gazing instigated by the local journos who remain steadfast
in their commitment to never allow the facts to get in the way of a good story
(particularly one that throws up the opportunity to condemn the daft behaviour
of dim-witted, irresponsible, egotistical, borderline sociopathic, emotionally
illiterate would-be folk heroes) it might be recalled that the unexpected Boro
implosion although mystifying and upsetting did not deprive us of a automatic
passage into the Premier League, it merely confirmed Norwich’s unassailable
position and highlighted the fragility of a squad made up of contenders,
journeymen and hired hands. Our play-offs campaign built on the quicksand of
sinking expectations was always likely to end in tears.
This season, no longer weighed
down by big stars, large egos and huge wage-packets we have a team created by
the manager in his own image – reliable, dependant, grounded. It’s difficult to
imagine this squad indulging in inappropriate extra-curricular activities and
late night alcohol-fuelled shenanigans giving the hacks a reason to delve deep
and dish the dirt.
Rifling through the Whittingham,
Hudson or Cowie household bins you’re unlikely to find anything more
incriminating than a Fools and Horses Box Set receipt, assorted M & S Tofu
Salad containers and a subscription to The National Geographic. We’re short of
options if we’re going to be serious about making a challenge and there’s still
space for a maverick or loveable rogue to help us over the line but it’s a lot
easier to get behind the class of 2012 than it was with their wayward predecessors.
Ali’s pre-match playlist was a
strange one. Normally reliable in capturing the spirit of the day or finding an
appropriate track with which to wind up the opposing fans he opted for ‘Anarchy
In The UK’ with its less than seasonal opening line ‘I am an anti-Christ, I am
an anarchist’! We were however treated to a ‘live’ appearance from pin-up
choristers Only Men Aloud providing a real seasonal tonic for the watching
housewives and the Canton End limp-wrists.
Boro under the guidance of Tony
Mowbray have been one of the surprise packages this season, scoring freely and
boasting the meanest defence in the league. They played with a confidence reflecting
their current form and were clearly not going to be intimidated playing in
front of a near-capacity crowd against THE form team.
Most visiting teams this season
have come to defend deep and pack midfield in an attempt to kill the game.
Boro’s approach made for an open and entertaining spectacle which held great
promise from the off. Both teams built patiently from the back playing an
expansive game with plenty of intricate inter-play. There was plenty of
movement upfront with both attacks always looking for space.
The first incident of note and
the one that was to inform the remainder of the game occurred on 15 minutes as
McNaughton marauded into the box and rounded the keeper only to be floored by
an ill-timed challenge. A clear penalty, an absolute certainty, as certain as
an M&S returns desk queue on Boxing Day. The ref looked at his assistant
and, to use the colloquial, they bottled it. As bottled as a pickled onion in
December and with a lingering bitter aftertaste to match. Absolutely shameful.
One minute later Boro went ahead. As the Canton End so eloquently sang, it was
‘1-0 to the referee, 1-0 to the referee...’
We took a few minutes to settle
after such an unfair blow but within 10 minutes we were level and it was
entirely appropriate that Big Ben Turner took the opportunity to score his
first goal for the Bluebirds against the club that he left in the summer. 1-1. The
game continued at the same frantic pace with City now pretty much in the
ascendancy. Just before half time we took a deserved lead following an
excellent wide run from Miller who had the vision to see Gunnarsson running
into the space that he’d free up, laying an impudent back heel into the
Icelander’s path from him to slot past the advancing keeper. 2-1.
I made the mistake of explaining
to China Blue next to me that we always start the brighter in the second half
under Mackay. Inevitably then it was Boro who came out all guns blazing and we
struggled to get into the game. On the hour mark as we pushed up out of defence
a ball was played through to ex-Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte whose superbly
timed sprint saw him run clear of our
static defence, collect a pin-point pass and send the ball into the path of
McDonald to make it 2-2.
Malky responded within minutes by
making a double substitution bringing on Mason and Gestade for Conway and
Cowie. The manager should be applauded for making such a bold move and it’s
difficult to be too critical after the Jones years of cripplingly slow
responses from the bench but for me this was one change too many. Bring Mason
on certainly. We know what he brings to the team and we always look more of a
threat when he’s on the pitch, but the presence of Gestade disrupted our play
more than theirs. Instead of patiently playing to our strengths, building up
slowly from the back and using Mason as a decoy to free up the ever dangerous
and tireless Miller, we gave into the temptation to hoof the ball up to Rudy
who proved no match for the solid Boro central defence.
On 75 minutes our defence was
caught out again as the Belgian international Haroun, a constant threat in
front of midfield, was played through by Arca running between two defenders to
chest the ball and turn it past Marshall. 2-3.
The last 10 minutes was played
mostly in and around their box as we went all out for the equaliser. Plenty of
action but alas no end result. So the second defeat at home this season,
tellingly against quality opposition and just like the Brighton defeat we have
no grounds for complaint, notwithstanding the crazy penalty non-decision.
So as we end our 2011 home
campaign where does that leave us? The table doesn’t lie. We may flirt with the
top spots and there is a dearth of true contenders but unless Malkay can grab a
few unlikely bargains in the January sales we are looking for a top six finish.
Which means that the inevitable League Cup final, once we’ve brushed aside
Palace next month, will be a nice little taster for May’s main event!
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