Boro: Post Match

[Pablo]

Aside from the obvious stuff, some random thoughts:

Our fitness levels were good, only Lucas cramped up. Particularly impressed with Lallana lasting 120 minutes.

Markovic seems to be playing within himself and seems scared to try things. That said I can see a very good player in there, and even now he's always on the ball and very neat and tidy. Needs to come out of his shell a bit.

Mignolet's passing has improved so much since he joined. It's a shame most of the rest of his game has regressed at the same time.

Kolo Toure is still absolutely bat**** mental. He penalty was hilarious

[Vermilion]

Absolutely wank 90 mins, had to leave during the first half of ET to make the last ****ing train. Absolutely ****ing typical. FML.

Thank **** for that eh, or we'd have never won that epic shoot out.

And losing it would have exploded Est bits!!

[Fredo]

Thought that Markovic was decent myself. He needs to improve but no way he's a waste of 20m like Frank the Plank is alluding.

[Vermilion]

Much happier with last night today, was a great experence for so many young un's, and to beat the Spurs and Chelsea youth teams in a penalty shoot out showed great composure from all. (except Raheem. )

Yep, they'll remember that for a long time, and they all looked so cool stepping up too.

Just watched it again, it's cool watching all the different techniques, keepers having to take pens too, not often we get treated to such a spectacle in football.

Lucas very vocal, him and Suso stepping up to take the first of the second lot of pens showed character and leadership.

Toures pen.. He whipped that ****er in, curled it!

[Bender]

AssassinYes, losing 0-1 to Villa is terrible
Leyton388Sold Suarez



No xmas gifts for the above mentioned Suckers

[Rich]

Lallana is starting to look fit and although some of his decision making wasn't the best he performed well through out the game - lovely balance and close control. No wonder Rodgers loves him. Should really help us play when he's 100%.

Lucas, looked to switch with Rossiter through the game as to who was playing in the deeper role, I'd like to see him replace Gerrard in something approaching a full strength team to see if he shields the defence better.

Markovic - precious little sign of his precocious pace last night, obviously needs time to settle at the club and in the country. I do wonder what his main strengths are though?

Toure - just what was he doing in the first half Seems like he has total brain fart moments when he does absolutely the wrong thing and then immediately looks stunned, as if he can't believe he's done it. Thankfully he played better after half-time and made one particularly excellent sliding tackle.

[Shaggy]

Markovic seems scared to take any risks at the moment - either playing it simple too often or spurning the chance to shoot and hanging on to the ball. Anyway he's 20 in a new country, new league etc. He deserves loads of time.

[Shaggy]

A word for Rossiter too, who did very well considering he is only 6.

[Vermilion]

[RedReet]

That was great last night. Strugglled staying awake through the first 90 mins, but loved e/t pens, for entertainment alone.

[Bender]

A word for Rossiter too, who did very well considering he is only 6.

His Dad is well Happy

[Muddled]

It was the League Cup, a collection of youth, squad and first-teamer's and we're through. Hopefully another home tie against lesser opposition in the next round so we can continue to give game time to youth and squad players and push towards a first trophy for Rodgers.

It wasn't pretty, but none of our first team football is at the moment, never mind a patched second-string.

[Assassin]

Markovic seems scared to take any risks at the moment - either playing it simple too often or spurning the chance to shoot and hanging on to the ball. Anyway he's 20 in a new country, new league etc. He deserves loads of time.

I found myself shouting at "For ****s sake shoot" to the tv screen several times last night. Much to the annoyment of my cat

[Assassin]

Great picture....Livivng the dream

[Assassin]

AssassinYes, losing 0-1 to Villa is terrible
Leyton388Sold Suarez



No xmas gifts for the above mentioned Suckers

Obviously, as it wouldnt arrive until Easter...