Boro: Post Match

[tanner]

It's also worth remembering that Markovic only had 45 minutes of pre season due to injury so he is still very much lacking in match fitness

well that and the fact everyone's ignoring the bit where I said, "its too early to judge yet and it could be nerves"

[tanner]

A ****house?

Yep, thats the exact words that Rafa used.

[dom9]

Yep, thats the exact words that Rafa used.

Oh I see.

[RedReet]

Yep, thats the exact words that Rafa used.

[tanner]

Aquilani came as an established player from a top level league. As mentioned he came in injured missing pre season and never got up to speed and as you make mention too, seemed a bit scared of getting injured again.

Markovic is obviously going to be shocked by the pace of the game and the commitment and challenges allowed in this country. Some players adapt and some don't. It is too early to say which will be the case for him. For me he needs to get stuck in more, get close on players and not allow them time on the ball, that's the point of a pressing game. But he's not the only one who rushes up to a player and then stands of them, allowing them space and time to pick a pass. It's where our game is falling down in comparison to last.

Of the new signings, I would say Moreno after a poor start v Navas is closing down correctly now. Manquillo seems good in that regards. All the centre backs half the time want to win the same ball, so too eager to press. Whilst the forward players not pressing often means our midfielders are either - pressing to high to compensate, or - getting caught out of position when the opposition break as a result of players higher up the pitch not pressing.

Excellent reply, I agree with pretty much all of that. Despite a few mistakes against City, I saw plenty of glimpses of what Moreno has to offer, for me he could be the best transfer of the summer. I think we're missing muscle in midfield too though.

[frank the tank]

Moreno looks potentially world class.

If we had a decent defensive midfielder to cover him when he bombs on then that would make a huge difference.

Of all our signings, i would agree that Moreno looks like the best one.

For me though, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic and Lambert - that is essentially the Suarez money blown. Will be interesting to see how much Sam Allardici gives us for Lallana to replace Downing in 2 years time.....

[meffin]

You're just a fat Neil Mellor

[danperkins]

Moreno looks potentially world class.

If we had a decent defensive midfielder to cover him when he bombs on then that would make a huge difference.

Of all our signings, i would agree that Moreno looks like the best one.

For me though, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic and Lambert - that is essentially the Suarez money blown. Will be interesting to see how much Sam Allardici gives us for Lallana to replace Downing in 2 years time.....

Some serous extremes in that post frank.

[danperkins]

Del

[Muddled]

For me though, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic and Lambert - that is essentially the Suarez money blown. Will be interesting to see how much Sam Allardici gives us for Lallana to replace Downing in 2 years time.....

And you wanted us to sign Milner, Caulker, Bertrand, Rodwell and Richards with that Suarez money. The rest of what you've parped throughout this thread is equally as laughable.

[frank the tank]

And you wanted us to sign Milner, Caulker, Bertrand, Rodwell and Richards with that Suarez money. The rest of what you've parped throughout this thread is equally as laughable.

I think the two spanish full backs were and will prove to be very good signings. I think the signing of Balotelli was a very good calculated risk - he could potentially be very good and if it didn't work out then we could probably get 70% of the transfer fee back - plus he took a pay cut to join us which is a great statement of intent and sporting ambition from Balotelli.

It is the additions of Lambert, Lallana for £25m, Lovren for £20m, Markovic for £20m that i think were all poor choices.

Milner for £8m
Caulkner for £8m
Rodwell for £10m
Richards for £5m

combined total = £31m. Or very slightly more than Lallana and Lambert combined.... add someone like Reus, Pedro or Draxler for £40m and yes i think that is a better way to spend the Suarez money..... we would have ended up with a better first 11 than we have now, a strong squad and a potentially world class signing rather than a guy in Lallana who has reached his ceiling.

[Shaggy]

I think the two spanish full backs were and will prove to be very good signings. I think the signing of Balotelli was a very good calculated risk - he could potentially be very good and if it didn't work out then we could probably get 70% of the transfer fee back - plus he took a pay cut to join us which is a great statement of intent and sporting ambition from Balotelli.

It is the additions of Lambert, Lallana for £25m, Lovren for £20m, Markovic for £20m that i think were all poor choices.

Milner for £8m
Caulkner for £8m
Rodwell for £10m
Richards for £5m

combined total = £31m. Or very slightly more than Lallana and Lambert combined.... add someone like Reus, Pedro or Draxler for £40m and yes i think that is a better way to spend the Suarez money..... we would have ended up with a better first 11 than we have now, a strong squad and a potentially world class signing rather than a guy in Lallana who has reached his ceiling.

But with the exception of Milner, they are all dog****.

[Fierce]

There are some proper bellends on this site

[Kenneth]

£8m for a cheese thief is crazy. Having a toilet seat thief on the books is bad enough.

[Alex]

But with the exception of Milner, they are all dog****.

Took the words right out of my mouth. There is a reason the players left their clubs and went to mid table sides.