We went to Stamford Bridge and we came back with nothing, but at least we didn't lose any more men.
The fact that that is the only positive speaks volumes.
Chelsea weren't awful, but they were not exactly a force to be reckoned with either.
Lazy shooting, and a lack of communication between the Blues' 'stars' who look at times as if they hate themselves and their team mates - money doesn't make you happy boys - meant that, had we taken the game to them, we would probably have snatched a point.
But we tried to defend. Again.
Boro are the only side I know of who will fiercely defend a 1-0 deficit instead of trying to overturn it. We are all damage limitation and no attack.
Two Frank Lampard corners, one mis-judged header from Wheater and another three points dropped.
Yet another forced line-up included more stupid fouls from McMahon some dodgy decision making from Riggot, a shoulder injury to Wheater which he literally tried to shrug off and some intervention from Captain Pogi, saving Matty Bates from a yellow card.
Bates is less a square peg in a round hole than a skeleton key. But whether he can sustain the high energy and level of commitment he brings to the team remains to be seen.
And King? well apart from his theatrical falling (learning from Alves already?!) he worked hard and offers us a bit of bulk in a side with is leaner than Weight Watchers' bacon. Beyond that it is too early to say.
Downing and Johnson both offered flashes of creativity but both need to take it upon themselves to score. As do our strikers. King was on his own for his Boro debut at Stamford Bridge, a baptism of fire and we could not expect miracles from him. However had King, Alves or Tuncay scored last nigt they would have joined the ranks of true Boro heroes simply for preventing yet another defeat.
I am struggling to decide what function Shawky performs for the Boro, short of a welcoming committee for opposing forwards.
Judging by his new 'fro and goatee beard combo even he seems to have acknowledged that their is nothing remotely interesting about him, that he in fact has less presence than Claude Raines. At least he is taking steps to remedy that with his new look. However perhaps his time might be better spent working on his game.
And Turnbull also needs to step up his game. Playing against the big boys he looked very very young, unsure and dare, I say it, out of his depth.
Once again I am also disappointed with Tuncay. I do not like being disappointed with Tuncay because he's rather like an excitable puppy, but we need him to, well, just do more. Be more greyhound (running with a purpose) than Andrex puppy. Until he toughens up and joins Boro's fight rather than blinking his big brown eyes wordlessly as if to say 'how did we end up here? its no fun' , he will remain in my doghouse.
Blackburn Rovers visit the Riverside on Saturday and only a win will do. We are unlikely to have any more personnel available, again I ask where is Huth?! So it is up to those boys who got beat by Chelsea to pick themselves up and get on with it.
Earlier in the season at Ewood Park we managed a draw, in yet another game that should have been killed off earlier Alves, Adam Johnson and Jeremie Aliadiere were our main threats. Two of the three are available and I would suggest the same again but with Tuncay and Alves up front and three points instead of one. Southgate's future is in the hands of the eleven players (we basically have no subs) he picks to battle Blackburn. Good Luck.
First published on www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/fanzone - Jan 09
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