Sunday, November 27, 2005
Boro 2 West Brom 2
And they wonder why the Riverside isn't full? It is because our home form leaves a lot to be desired, especially against lesser opposition that we should be brushing aside! No disrespect to Robbo's West Brom who came and fought hard for their point - well done to them. But with the start Viduka gave us you can maybe forgive conceding one and still coming back to win, but to concede 2 was just shocking and undisciplined. We can't keep blaming it on Euro hangovers, injuries or the conditions - it is because certain players are too casual or just not good enough!! If I had paid almost £400 for a season ticket and come out in the rain and wind to see that performance I would be raging - I'm raging anyway...No problem scoring, fair enough, a brilliant opener from Viduka who looked sharp first half and, again, a very cool penalty from the Yak, but... Defensively careless, sloppy, lacking concentration at times; made all the more frustrating as in other moments they are quite brilliant. No back to back premiership wins in a year, not enough clean sheets, especially at home and 20 goals conceded in 14 games - that is the form of a bottom half team and the season isn't new any more, it is almost half over! The baggies have an appaling away record and to drop two points against them whilst trying to bridge the gap to the likes of Bolton and Man City is simply unacceptable...
An interseting match played with high commitment, these comments and criticisms aside. There could easily have been a winner for us in the last 20 minutes had lady luck been smiling and no complaints for the forwards really, although I do wish (often) that Szilard Nemeth knew how to finish without having to think about it for an hour and send in the request in triplicate to the opposing goalkeeper... With Chelsea and Liverpool coming up I don't expect us to be poking our heads above the half way mark for long - but you know how we play against the big boys...
My MOTM: Riggott staked a case again, but I'm giving it to Pogatetz who gave everything he could and continues to improve as others falter.
