"I Can't Believe It" Same Boro Mistakes Anger Karanka

Middlesbrough   0        Brighton   1

                                                                                                              Upson  86

As much as it will hurt Boro fans to say it, this season is now a relegation dog fight rather than the push for promotion many anticipated back in August.

The worrying thing is they are being undone by the same mistakes every week, yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Brighton was the same old story of points that were there for the taking but lost in the dying minutes. Not what you need when you are near the bottom of the table.    

Aitor Karanka left frustrated by Boro's lapses in concentration  

It was another frustrating day for new manager Aitor Karanka who didn’t hide his anger at Boro’s lapses in concentration which is costing them dearly.  

    

 “We had a lot of chances to score and at this moment I can’t believe the situation, it’s always concentration mistakes” said the Spaniard “We can’t give these gifts to our opponents” 

In front of a crowd 13,635, 10,000 less than Karanka’s first home game against Bolton, Boro slumped to their eighth league defeat of the of the season which leaves them a nail biting three points off the relegation zone.

It was a day where Boro’s lack of attacking options were clear for all to see. The hosts created next to nothing before the break; time after time they found themselves in promising positions but lacked numbers in the opposition penalty area, as loose passing made for a scrappy affair.

Although it did improve after the break Boro’s inability to convert their opportunities, was once again punished by the late sucker punch this time in the form of Matthew Upson’s header four minutes from time.

On the balance of play the final outcome was probably harsh on Boro, however their mistakes and leakage of goals are inexcusable. In their last three games they have conceded with less than five minutes remaining, the last two occasions those goals have been from set pieces, as a past defender that will hurt Karanka even more and his anger in more than justified.

The Boro side showed three changes from the team which started the drew 2-2 at Birmingham last weekend, as George Friend returned from injury and was a straight swap for Ben Gibson at left back. Injuries to Kei Kamara and Marvin Emnes gave chances to Jacob Butterfield and Lukas Jutkiewitz while Shay Given kept his place in goal as Jason Steele had an ankle injury.

Jutkiewitz led the line with Albert Adomah and Mustapha Carayol operating the flanks, as Butterfield, Grant Leadbitter and Dean Whitehead made up the midfield in a 4-5-1 formation.

Brighton entered the match in good form, the week before they had beaten, then top of the table Leicester. Their manager Oscar Garcia was only forced to make one chance replacing Gordon Greer with Adam El-Abd in defence.

The visitors spent most of the opening 20 minutes on the front foot and were unlucky not to take the lead when striker Ashley Barnes took advantage of some slack Boro defending however he could only header Craig Conway’s in swinging corner onto Given’s near post.

As the home team Boro’s negativity was extremely frustrating for the fans who were given little to shout about as Brighton continued to pin their hosts back. On the left Conway was causing Rhys Williams plenty of problems, but it was David Lopez who was presented with Brighton’s next chance, however he could only scuff his low shot into Given’s thankful grasp.

Boro finally tested Brighton keeper Peter Brezovan on 25 minutes when Carayol charged down the left before cutting inside and forcing a low fingertip save at the near post. The hosts calved out two more chances before the interval, Butterfield’s shot was straight at Brezoven, then Jutkiewitz failed to capitalise on Friend’s inviting cross as the striker mistimed his jump steering his header off target.

The half time whistle was greeted with a mostly muted reaction some fans applauded some attempted to boo but neither materialised.

Karanka was forced to make a chance before the second half as Jonathan Woodgate made way for Ben Gibson. Whatever the manager said at half time there was definitely a noticeable improvement as Boro advanced 10-15 yards up the pitch and as a consequence seized authority.

Leadbitter tested his range from the edge of the box but fired wide before Carayol spotted Friend’s overlapping run on the left; however there were no red shirts in the opposition box and the full back’s low cross came to nothing.   

Jutkiewitz had lacked support all afternoon but was getting closer; however he still couldn’t find the target as his header sailed over the bar before a shot on the turn proved his last intervention when he was replaced by Curtis Main.

Boro continued to ask questions of the Brighton defence which had been well organised and astute all afternoon. But the fans sensed an opening, Main made an immediate impact as he darted into the Brighton penalty however he lacked support when he got there, then from Leadbitter’s teasing free kick Ayala’s diving header was turned out for a corner.  

Brighton had barely threatened after the break; however they had dug in and claimed their reward four minutes from time when the same old cracks appeared in Boro’s back line.

There was some dispute whether Brighton should have had a corner in the first place nevertheless Boro should have dealt better with Conway’s delivery from the right which was met by a Upson who cannoned his diving header off the ground and into the roof of Given’s net.

Boro threw men forward in hope of salvaging a point but it was too little too late, they can only hope their season doesn’t go the same way.    

 

Player Ratings

Shay Given   6.5- Not a lot to do but commanded his area well when he had to 

Rhys Williams   5- Was given numerous problems by Conway in the first half

Jonathan Woodgate (C)   6- Forced off at half time and replaced by Gibson

Danial Ayala   6.5- Looked solid for most of the afternoon, as Brighton caused little problems after half time

George Friend   6- Struggled defensively in the first half, got forward to better effect after the break

Albert Adomah   5.5- Quiet afternoon, as he struggled to have an impact on the game  

Grant Leadbitter   6- Hard working performance but couldn’t take the game by the scruff of the neck like he has done in the past

Dean Whitehead   6.5- A bit too negative at times but broke up play and showed a good range of passing

Jacob Butterfield   6.5- Most offensive of the 3 central midfielders and tried to make something happen when he received the ball

Mustapha Carayol   6.5- Showed flashes of what he could do on the left, but dipped in and out of the game  

Lukas Jutkiewitz   6- Lack of support upfront which didn’t give him much chance to show his ability  

Subs

Ben Gibson   6.5- Slotted in for Woodgate after half time, wasn’t faced with much   

Curtis Main   6.5- added spark to Boro’s attack late on

Luke Williams- Came on with 2 minutes to go not enough time to give a fair score

 My Boro Man Of The Match: Jacob Butterfield

      

The Karanka Way

It’s fair to say new Boro manager Aitor Karanka has been thrown in at the deep end of the Championship. In Leeds, Bolton and Derby the Spaniard has been faced with three of the leagues in form sides and it doesn’t get any easier with an away trip to Birmingham tomorrow.   

He may have only been in charge for three games but already Karanka's Boro seem to have new aura about them. Having been a defender at Real Madrid Karanka appears to prefer a hard to break down and well organised brand of football to the flamboyant attacking kind.

At Leeds and Derby the Spaniard’s disciplined tactics may have been blown out the window as Boro were reduced to ten men in the first half of both games.

Aitor Karanka in his first match in charge of Boro 

But if Kanranka’s first home game is anything to go by, a slender 1-0 home win over Bolton, it suggested he’s a manager who likes his team to retain possession when possible preventing the opposition form scoring rather than going for goal themselves. That’s easier said than done with a Boro side who have conceded 28 in 18 matches so far this season. Nevertheless they’re proving it’s possible.

Yet Karanka’s new methods could have their consequences, especially if results don’t improve. Despite looking a much sounder defensive unit Boro appear to have lost some of their attacking threat which appealed to the fans.

The offensive pace of attackers Albert Adomah, Mustatpa Carayol, Marvin Emnes and Kei Kamara will mostly be used on the counter attack, with the defence clearly Karanka’s priority.

The supporters may have to be patient and buy into the new system, against Bolton Boro failed to have a shot in open play however if it’s what it takes to finally lift them out of the Championship there won’t be too many complaints.

For the meantime Boro sit 16^th in the league only four points adrift from the relegation zone, as they prepare to face fellow strugglers Birmingham tomorrow.

In the forthcoming months we’ll see if Karanka’s way proves to be the right way, in regards to getting Boro back nearer the top of the Championship. The fans certainly hope so but only time will tell.  

Aitor's Off And Running

Middlesbrough   1          Bolton   0

                                     Leadbitter (Pen)  82

Ten chaotic minutes proved decisive for Aitor Karanka as he celebrated his first home game as Middlesbrough manager with a dramatic victory over Bolton yesterday afternoon.

Boro’s new manager was welcomed by a sea of red “Karanka-chiefs” lighting up the North stand, as he was welcomed with open arms and given a roaring reception by the 23,000 fans at a packed Riverside before kickoff.

The match itself was far from a classic and the new coach will have to make adjustments if his side are to challenge at the top end of the table.  In a match where neither side posed a massive goal threat or managed a shot on target from open play, the contest narrowly came down to a tale of   two contrasting penalties.

Aitor Karanka is welcomed to the Riverside by Boro fans

The first from Grant Leadbitter, eight minutes from time, was neatly tucked away as calm and collectively as any Boro fan could wish for, while Jermaine Beckford’s spot kick minutes later was the complete opposite, as the Bolton striker squandered the chance to equalise skying his effort well over the bar .  

"It was very emotional for me from the moment I signed the contract I had dreamed of the first home game and the greeting I got from our people made it very special” said Karanka after the match “But it nearly turned into a nightmare when Bolton won the penalty so late on in the game. We still need to improve."

Karanka made four changes from the side which was defeated at Leeds in his first game in charge. Jason Steele was suspended which allowed new loan signing Shay Given to make his Boro debut, becoming only the sixth player to represent all three major North East clubs.

In defence Ben Gibson replaced Daniel Ayala at centre back while Rhys Williams came in for Frasier Richardson at right back. Marvin Emnes was the other casualty as he made way for Jacob Butterfield who made up a three man midfield with Grant Leadbitter and Richard Smallwood, Mustapa Carayol and Albert Adomah operated the flanks with Kei Kamara upfront.

Karanka’s introduction on the big screen created an early vibe helped hugely by Boro’s highest home attendance of the season which stood at 23,679.

However, with the crowd ready to explode into life, on the pitch Boro couldn’t light the flame to   ignite them, as lack of clear cut chances made it difficult for the fans to show their support.

Scoring goals hasn’t been a major problem for Boro this season they had already scored 32 in the league before kick off; however they struggled to bring their attackers into the game as Adomah, Carayol and Kamara had to continuously drop deep to try and receive the ball.

The hosts were comfortable in possession but never tested Bolton keeper Andy Lonergan, their best chance fell after 17 minutes when Kamara’s lofted cross into the opposition penalty area was headed away into the path of George Friend, however the full back could only drag his low effort wide.    

At the other end Given faced just as little, however his experience showed as the former Republic Of Ireland keeper commanded his area, keeping his defenders in check.     

In a highly contested midfield battle Grant Leadbitter’s late challenge drew the first yellow card of the game from referee Mark Brown, Leadbitter’s fifth of the season meaning he will miss next week’s visit to Derby.

Before the interval Boro managed to carve out a couple more chances but none were clear cut. Gibson did well to steer his header towards goal however it sailed over the bar, before Butterfield’s full blooded strike was stopped by a committed block from Jay Spearing. It had been a cagey 45 minutes which had been left on a knife edge for either side to grasp.

Bolton entered the match in good form, unbeaten in their last eight having won their last three. After the break they showed glimpses why. Jermaine Beckford twice had the chance to put the visitors in front; however he failed to hit the target on both occasions, rolling his first one wide from inside the area before minutes later sending a right foot volley well over the bar with only Given to beat.    

After an hour Karanka withdrew Carayol to bring on Curtis Main, who made an immediate impact, wriggling away from Spearing’s challenge to fire a left foot shot inches wide re-engaging the fans for a dramatic climax.

Five minutes later Butterfield was replaced by Emnes who also went straight into the thick of the action. 

Boro’s Dutch striker controlled the ball in the Bolton penalty area and spun towards goal but was caught by defender Tim Ream prompting the referee to point towards the spot.

Up stepped Leadbitter, who coolly rolled the ball low to Lonergan’s left sending the Bolton keeper the wrong way with eight minutes to go.

However the contest was far from over seconds later Boro missed the chance to seal the match when Emnes dispossessed Ream and picked out Kamara to his left, instead of going for goal Kamara attempted a square pass to Smallwood at the far post however his attempt trickled out of play.

Boro were nearly made to rue the opportunity three minutes from time, a needless challenge from Williams on Bolton substitute Andre Moritz just inside his own box gave the visitors chance to equalise with a penalty of their own.

Beckford opted to take it but blazed the ball well over the cross bar high into the south stand, letting Boro off the hook and giving Karanka the perfect Riverside debut.

Player Ratings  

Shay Given   7- Brought stability and leadership to the Boro defence on debut

Rhys Williams   6- Gave option going forward, clumsy tackle nearly led to Bolton equaliser

Jonathan Woodgate   7- Solid at the back but not asked too many questions

Ben Gibson   7- Composed on the ball cleared his lines when he had too

George Friend   6.5- Got forward on a few occasions to add attacking presence

Grant Leadbitter   8- Stand out player due to work rate and range of passing, tucked away penalty to win the match

Richard Smallwood   7- Broke up play, overall solid in midfield

Albert Adomah   6- Came to life in closing stages but overall a quiet afternoon

Mustapha Carayol   5.5- Struggled to have an impact on the game on the wing

Jacob Butterfield   6- Struggled to create many chances in advanced midfield role  

Kei Kamara   6.5- Won majority of headers but generally lacked support  

Subs

Curtis Main   6.5- Created a spark when he came on to get the fans going

Marvin Emnes   6.5- Added extra option upfront, winning the decisive penalty  

My Boro Man Of The Match : Grant Leadbitter