Middlesbrough 4-0 Saints - Match Thread

[scumbag]

'Its sideways and backwards, everywhere we go...everywhere we go'

[tdmickey3]

3 hours ago, saintant said:

The main issue for me is that Eckert appears to be doing little or nothing to resolve the plummet from gaining 6 wins and scoring lots of goal to now struggling for points and chance creation never mind goals. He just carries on with the same set up and tactics which clearly isn't working. So frustrating to watch this happening. His press conferences are becoming tiresome and insulting.

Yep…

[VectisSaint]

4 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Start with our best team and without the russball boys ...

McCarthy

Jelert THB Wood Welington

Bragg Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Armstrong

Surely Wood is prime russball and can't see how THB would really escape that label either. Trouble is we don't have many other options, Quarshie I suppose. Personally think Manning and Downes are the two who cause the worst of russball, always looking to pass back to the CBs instead of looking forward.

[Dr Who?]

Snowing heavily in the Boro at the moment. Not that I think it will continue. 

Edited Saturday at 15:44 by Dr Who?

[Fabrice29]

On 01/01/2026 at 21:52, Pamplemousse said:

Can we have Scienza and Fellows on the pitch at the same time please Tonda? No league game for 2 weeks after this one so they can go full gas.

Scienza is evidently injured though. Happened when he came on Birmingham and given he was subbed off Thursday I would be a little surprised to see him tomorrow. 

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, VectisSaint said:

Surely Wood is prime russball and can't see how THB would really escape that label either. Trouble is we don't have many other options, Quarshie I suppose. Personally think Manning and Downes are the two who cause the worst of russball, always looking to pass back to the CBs instead of looking forward.

Are we not stopping this narrative yet given the goals and points that squad/manager had in this league? It’s not comparable. 

[Mboto Gorge]

1 hour ago, Fabrice29 said:

Scienza is evidently injured though. Happened when he came on Birmingham and given he was subbed off Thursday I would be a little surprised to see him tomorrow. 

Not trying to doubt you, but do you know for a fact he’s injured? Genuine question out of interest 

[Fabrice29]

15 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Not trying to doubt you, but do you know for a fact he’s injured? Genuine question out of interest 

I’m just a club PR man, nothing to worry about. 

Either that or I watched the game and saw him pull up more than once with my own eyes. 

[Mboto Gorge]

6 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

I’m just a club PR man, nothing to worry about. 

Either that or I watched the game and saw him pull up more than once with my own eyes. 

Why the constant need for sarcastic responses and mocking people On here? Seems you have a really big superiority complex , which is a shame. Was it so hard to merely say “I saw him pull up with my own eyes” , without the need for the smart arse comment at the start, or is that impossible for someone as up his own arse as you clearly appear to be? Who did you see him pull up against? Birmingham? 

Edited Saturday at 18:54 by Mboto Gorge

[Fabrice29]

16 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Why the constant need for sarcastic responses and mocking people On here? Seems you have a really big superiority complex , which is a shame. Was it so hard to merely say “I saw him pull up with my own eyes” , without the need for the smart arse comment at the start, or is that impossible for someone as up his own arse as you clearly appear to be? Who did you see him pull up against? Birmingham? 

  Yes, Birmingham.

On 26/12/2025 at 19:52, Mboto Gorge said:

What on earth are you going on about now? You’re either trying to be a smart arse and trolling, or you’re thick as fuck. 

 

On 26/12/2025 at 19:39, Mboto Gorge said:

What a bizarre response but no surprise when I see who’s posted it. 

 

On 26/12/2025 at 19:35, Mboto Gorge said:

Come on Jordan I know you’re the clubs PR man but you’re better than that. 

 

[Dr Who?]

Looking cold at the moment. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Birmingham fans helping with the words and tune for the backwards and sideways song aimed at SR 

 

[Turkish]

Fair play to those going tomorrow. It’s absolutely Baltic up here. 9am this morning up where we train it was minus 1 but app said feels like -11 and it did. Most local football cancelled due to frozen pitches. Currently -2 but feels like -10. Not predicted to get above 2 tomorrow 

[J]

Please dump the back three it is not working, it just gives players an excuse to over play along the back with little benefit, we do not move the ball quick enough and allow teams to set up to block any passing lines.

4-2-3-1

Baz

Jellert

Wood

THB

Wellington

Downes

Bragg

Aziz

Leo

Robinson

Armstrong

[StrangelyBrown]

5 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

Surely Wood is prime russball and can't see how THB would really escape that label either. Trouble is we don't have many other options, Quarshie I suppose. Personally think Manning and Downes are the two who cause the worst of russball, always looking to pass back to the CBs instead of looking forward.

I'm with you... Not many options at CB. I'm tired of watching repeats of Baz to Stephens to Manning to Stephens to Manning to Downes to Stephens.... (or variations of the same)

At least THB plays a decent ball forward once in a while and Wood can defend a bit.

Edited Saturday at 20:52 by StrangelyBrown

[Andy Hill]

Not hoping for much from this. Might get a point if we pass it around the back 5 for 90+ minutes. 
When is Stewart back ?? He is much needed.

[Edmonton Saint]

17 minutes ago, Andy Hill said:

Not hoping for much from this. Might get a point if we pass it around the back 5 for 90+ minutes. 
When is Stewart back ?? He is much needed.

Stewart travelled with the team so could be involved tomorrow 

[Willo of Whiteley]

47 minutes ago, Edmonton Saint said:

Stewart travelled with the team so could be involved tomorrow 

He’ll probably trip up in the snow, fall on his knee and be out for the season

[Ted Bates Statue]

5 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

He’ll probably trip up in the snow, fall on his knee and be out for the season

Nah that'll be too obvious. He'll give us a glimmer of hope by scoring 2-3 goals over the course of the month, before sadly and unexpectedly injuring himself in the warmup at Fratton Park. Rumours of a loan striker will follow, but nothing will materialise before the transfer deadline, except for the signing of yet another right back.

 

[saintant]

3 hours ago, Dr Who? said:

Looking cold at the moment. 

Won't suit our wilting little flowers 🙂

[LeG]

12 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

He’ll probably trip up in the snow, fall on his knee and be out for the season

What a snowflake.

[SouSaint]

3-0 home win. 

[Gloucester Saint]

39 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

unexpectedly injuring himself in the warmup at Fratton Park

 

AKA doing a Michael Svensson.

[StrangelyBrown]

6 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

Are we not stopping this narrative yet given the goals and points that squad/manager had in this league? It’s not comparable. 

The football was just as tedious to watch (regardless of whether he won a few more games with a better squad in this division before making a complete arse of himself in the premier league...)

[Saint Fan CaM]

Does the Middlesbrough stadium have under pitch heating? If not I can see a postponement on the cards.

[Jack]

2 hours ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

Nah that'll be too obvious. He'll give us a glimmer of hope by scoring 2-3 goals over the course of the month, before sadly and unexpectedly injuring himself in the warmup at Fratton Park. Rumours of a loan striker will follow, but nothing will materialise before the transfer deadline, except for the signing of yet another right back.

 

He’ll work his way back in through January and look alright, SR will put all their eggs in one basket and stall on getting another forward, then he’ll be out for another 10 months with another hamstring injury at Stoke on deadline day. Tragic really as Sheff Utd away was the highlight of the season so far for me 

[woodsaint1]

10 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Does the Middlesbrough stadium have under pitch heating? If not I can see a postponement on the cards.

Yes

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-middlesbrough/stadion/verein/641

[bangkoksaint]

In the nancy world we live in it’s usually the surrounding parts of the stadium that cause a postponement in case supporters might slip on a bit of ice. Hopefully it will go ahead because it’s a long way to go for it to be cancelled. 🎩 off to the travelling fans

[Convict Colony]

1 hour ago, bangkoksaint said:

In the nancy world we live in it’s usually the surrounding parts of the stadium that cause a postponement in case supporters might slip on a bit of ice. Hopefully it will go ahead because it’s a long way to go for it to be cancelled. 🎩 off to the travelling fans

bro are you saying this from bangkok lol 

[Dr Who?]

I’m hoping it is called off I am full of cold with a bad chesty cough! 😷 so it will be on! Heading off 11:30! 

[JohnS]

Rise & Shine it’s Groundhog MatchDay! Going for a 3-1 loss - with the same old dross 😞 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

No excuse to play at strong starting 11 in this one. Rest the first team for the cup game next weekend. Not something I like to do, but we need to win this to get back on track.

[SNSUN]

Well obviously we're sticking with 3 at the back so just pick the players that give us the best chance to win the game. Which is the line up we were using early under Tonda's reign. Stephens over Quarshie as we somehow kept a clean sheet last game.

Baz, THB, Wood, Stephens, Fellows, Downes, Jander, Manning, Azaz, AA, Scienza.

I'm back to work today after two weeks ot a horrific chest infection (that's still lingering but much better) that ruined my festive period so I'll not be following the game much, just briefly clicking on here and BBC website. UTS.

[Suhari]

Sadly I've slipped back to the Will Still created mindset of "fuck, there's a game today. Suppose I'll watch it."

I did cherish those few weeks when we were good, but it seems an age ago now.

So.....3cbs, tippy-tappy walking football, a half-chance from a set piece, and a 3-0 defeat.

Prove me wrong, Saints.

Edited 16 hours ago by Suhari

[saintant]

Not expecting us to trouble Boro going forward and we rarely keep a clean sheet. Can only see a loss here in a game we'll create few chances so expecting a limp performance leading to a one or two nil defeat. Boro won't have to do much to break their run of four games without a win as the Southampton charity bus rolls into town.

[die Mannyschaft]

Watching my son play football and its 2c. Let's hope Saints done freeze in front of goal or the fans.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Faced with freezing to death playing possession across the back, we get it forward briskly. 'Boro baffled at our sudden change, with their defence caught out handing a thermos about.

They expect to win, and push forward, giving us space for a second.

We fall off a cliff when Tonda starts making subs, but hold on for the win.

[Saint NL]

It would be very Saintsy to win today just before the cup break and lose momentum 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Well they’re going to have to move a bit more today than they’ve done in recent weeks.

It’s Baltic down south so I imagine it’s a little more nippy up north.

Will reluctantly listen to the first half and then most likely switch off  before I fall asleep.

[Saint86]

23 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

It would be very Saintsy to win today just before the cup break and lose momentum 

Well brace yourself, because we're going to win this and the cup game 😆

[obelisk]

Virtually every game now is a "must win" if promotion is the requirement but losing recently to teams in relegation places shows how little confidence there is now. Certainly can't say I have any confidence even in one point coming back from the frozen north today.

Saints are currently closer to the relegation than promotion places and defeat today will have us languishing in lower mid table mediocrity keeping more of an eye on what happens below us rather than above. An unlikely win might just rekindle some hope though.

[Fabrice29]

12 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

The football was just as tedious to watch (regardless of whether he won a few more games with a better squad in this division before making a complete arse of himself in the premier league...)

I agree it was a better squad but this place isn't ready for the bring back Smallbone chat. 

[vectraman]

They’re out of form, we are out of form, 1-1 draw. 

[tdmickey3]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Not expecting us to trouble Boro going forward and we rarely keep a clean sheet. Can only see a loss here in a game we'll create few chances so expecting a limp performance leading to a one or two nil defeat. Boro won't have to do much to break their run of four games without a win as the Southampton charity bus rolls into town.

It will be another TE masterclass with lots of passing around at back, GK and midfield with forwards coming back to pass back to CB’s as well they are bored and cold.

Now and again we will hit it long for the forwards who have no chance of winning the header.

Every once I a while Bazunu will panic but make one of his famous passes and smack into the crowd.

Cannot wait

Edited 15 hours ago by tdmickey3

[Fabrice29]

1 minute ago, tdmickey3 said:

It will be another TE masterclass with lots of passing around at back, GK and midfield with forwards coming back to pass back to CB’s as well they are bored and cold.

Now and again we will hit it long for the forwards who have no chance of winning the header.

Every once I a while Bazunu will panic but make one of his famous passes and smack into the ground.

Cannot wait

You don't have to watch you know. Or keep commenting on it. You didn't even enjoy it when we won games, mainly because your silly matter of fact opinions were being proven wrong. I'd walk away.

[sockeye]

1-0 Saints. Arma to do a snow angel celebration.

[Wade Garrett]

More of the same tippy tappy shit with 3 cb’s and we’ll get another crap result.

Play 4 at the back with Fellows and Scienza out wide and we’ll be ok.

I reckon Eckert will stick to what’s not working.  

[Fabrice29]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

More of the same tippy tappy shit with 3 cb’s and we’ll get another crap result.

Play 4 at the back with Fellows and Scienza out wide and we’ll be ok.

I reckon Eckert will stick to what’s not working.  

[SNSUN]

Scorers for us: Cameron Desmond Archer off the bench against the club he has done best at. Jack Stephens against the club he made one appearance for. And a wonder goal from Finn.

That's three for us. Now just have to hope the defence doesn't concede 3 or more.😁🤯

Would be nice to get a statement win against one of the team's top performers. Might give the lads some confidence.

[Harry_SFC]

16 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

More of the same tippy tappy shit with 3 cb’s and we’ll get another crap result.

Play 4 at the back with Fellows and Scienza out wide and we’ll be ok.

I reckon Eckert will stick to what’s not working.  

You reckon? It's almost guaranteed. Tonda is just a SR puppet.