Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Boro 0 Blackburn 1
Not for the first time this season, and possibly not for the last, the fans stayed away in droves as Boro attempted to ease through to the semi-final in this Carling cup home tie. What actually happened was one of the worst games of football ever played in the North-East at top flight level! In an attacking sense we were non-existent, looking less than bothered throughout, despite the constant threat from a much more lively Blackburn team. The defense worked moderately hard to keep them out with some success for the most part, but it always looked like our best result would be 0-0.As the game "climaxed" it was the visitors that deservedly broke through with a Paul Dickov strike a minute from time. Schwarzer had performed competently until then, but another slight lack of reaction time allowed the goal that ultimately sealed the tie. Massimo Maccarone was unlucky not to take it to extra time with an injury time hit against the base of the Blackburn post, but it was not tot be. The boss rightly claimed there was not a single player that came out with any credit, stating that we "limped out" of the cup without a proper fight. Perhaps the heavy Christmas schedule, including a re-match with Blackburn on Boxing Day was on a lot of people's minds but this was a very winable game and a huge disappointment all round.
My MOTM: At a push Andy Johnson at least looked interested in continuing his progress and gets the vote.
