The annual Karanka wobble

[ClaretAndJew]

Don't you come on here with your logical arguments and your coherent sentences.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

I'm not hear to criticise you chaps and I know every team likes to have a bit of banter against other teams/managers etc but a couple of things do need to be cleared up. His interview where he allegedly criticised the fans was unintelligible at best as whilst his English is ok it oft fails when trying to convey finer detail, he's apologised for any misunderstanding with this.

Secondly he had a scheduled day off yesterday, hasn't been sacked or resigned, I guess like everyone he gets to have a day off (who knew?).

For the record, I'm not really a fan of AK and I think he plays a lot of negative football etc but he's ours and he's put us back in the PL so i'll stick with him until Gibson decides otherwise.

I can't agree that his interview was unintelligible. I live in the Tyne Tees area and heard his full interview and he WAS critical of the fans because there have been rumblings about Boro's performances recently and their negative approach. He probably felt that he needed to get this off his chest because it has been building up for several weeks now and he is feeling the pressure, which is understandable.
He has brought pressure on himself because of whatever happened last season before the Charlton match and he is always going to be over-scrutinised by some fans, as is every manager.

As far as I am concerned he is just another football manager who, along with 91 other League managers, is living on the edge of a few bad results -- he is welcome to the job.

[Goodclaret]

Fair points (ish) RandomBoro

I think any reference to the fans should be positive or not at all by a manager. You never want to give the fans half a reason to not be on your side as it can cost you your job in the end.

On another point, AK does seem to mention long balls a lot (or the media perceive it that way?). Looking at the stats so far you guys are only 6 long balls behind us yet he seems to think that's not your style. As a fan, do you feel you play long a lot or not?

[Goodclaret]

Don't you come on here with your logical arguments and your coherent sentences.

Ha ha, yeah, this will never catch on

[mickleoverclaret]

Remember after we went one up against Boro this season, they spent the last 10 minutes passing the ball sideways on the edge of their own area? I wonder why that would frustrate fans.

[RandomBoroBloke]

Fair points (ish) RandomBoro

I think any reference to the fans should be positive or not at all by a manager. You never want to give the fans half a reason to not be on your side as it can cost you your job in the end.

On another point, AK does seem to mention long balls a lot (or the media perceive it that way?). Looking at the stats so far you guys are only 6 long balls behind us yet he seems to think that's not your style. As a fan, do you feel you play long a lot or not?

I've honestly never thought "FFS why all the long balls", I've thought "FFS stop passing it backwards" but never long balls. Has anyone ever established what they are using as a benchmark as a long ball though? Is it distance based or simply a long pass?

That said though as a follower as a newly promoted team I think I would be ok with survival if that meant playing a more direct game as I know we can pass it around when we need to. In the matches I've watched Burnley also though I've never thought you guys did much long stuff but looking at the table of long balls you are up there with us.

Does AK mention long balls much? I think that's reporters taking things out of context in the same way that the terrible Evening Gazette on Teesside seem to think that SD only talks about how much more money everyone else has. Its just click bait reporting for football fans imho.

In summary, I'm not taking to much notice of silly stat tables when only really one table counts

[Goodclaret]

I've honestly never thought "FFS why all the long balls", I've thought "FFS stop passing it backwards" but never long balls. Has anyone ever established what they are using as a benchmark as a long ball though? Is it distance based or simply a long pass?

That said though as a follower as a newly promoted team I think I would be ok with survival if that meant playing a more direct game as I know we can pass it around when we need to. In the matches I've watched Burnley also though I've never thought you guys did much long stuff but looking at the table of long balls you are up there with us.

Does AK mention long balls much? I think that's reporters taking things out of context in the same way that the terrible Evening Gazette on Teesside seem to think that SD only talks about how much more money everyone else has. Its just click bait reporting for football fans imho.

In summary, I'm not taking to much notice of silly stat tables when only really one table counts

That's a very good point re what is a long ball. United do it and it's great distribution, a lesser team does it and it's a hopeful punt

I honestly don't care what anyone says about SD's brand and way of playing. It's brought us massive success recently and I love us winning games. We all want lovely football but you have to work with what you have and try and come out on top. SD is always learning by his own admission but he's doing a bloody good job and if we can stay up this season it will be one of the best achievements here at my club.

[claretdom]

RandomBoro - are you a Peterboro or Stevenage fan ?

Far too sensible and balanced to be an online MIddlesbrough fan

[RandomBoroBloke]

RandomBoro - are you a Peterboro or Stevenage fan ?

Far too sensible and balanced to be an online MIddlesbrough fan

LoL Middlesbrough but also a football fan. Obviously Middlesbrough are my team and have been since I was a kid etc but just cba with all the rivalry nonsense when its not match day.

[minnieclaret]

Has anyone ever established what they are using as a benchmark as a long ball though? Is it distance based or simply a long pass?

One of them silly statistics thingys the other week said a long ball is nowhere near the vicinity of a teammate. That would be a pass, I guess?
Most of our long balls are actually passes. We're just not very good at it.