PLENTY TO SMILE ABOUT DESPITE LOSS
PLUS MUCH MORE IN 23 PAGES OF SPORT
THEY battled hard, but Middlesbrough’s 2020-21 Championship campaign began with defeat away at Watford.
In the end though, a lack of penetration in the final third and one early sloppy moment at the back cost Neil Warnock’s side, with Craig Cathcart the unlikely match-winner.
Here’s the game at a glance . . .
THE GOAL
11 mins: Watford 1-0, Cathcart – Slack marking from a corner from Boro. Cathcart got a march on Hall, his marker, and headed home from close range.
THE TACTICS
Sticking with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, Neil Warnock made three changes to the side that beat Shrewsbury Town seven days ago in the Carabao Cup.
Marcus Bettinelli was straight in for his debut, just a day after completing his loan move from Fulham. Dejan Stojanovic, who started that cup win, was not even on the bench, with Aynsley Pears ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Paddy Mcnair and George Saville, who both missed the Shrewsbury clash due to international duty, were straight back in the side.
Interestingly, Mcnair started at centre-back ahead of Dael Fry who dropped to the bench in what was a real show of faith from the boss in young defender Anfernee Dijksteel. Meanwhile, Lewis Wing made way for George Saville.
THE GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
A game of two set-pieces involving Grant Hall. Having let his marker go, Watford led after just 11 minutes.
But Boro had so much of the ball, were on top and doing all the pressing when the second half kicked off.
All momentum was in their favour and they had a few half-chances to get off the mark in the league this season.
Their best chance though fell to Hall of all people. Finding his own space from a Boro corner he volleyed over from close range.
It was Boro’s golden chance, and their momentum slowly fizzled out after that.
THE KEY PLAYER
Jonny Howson slightly edges it ahead of Anfernee Dijksteel and Britt Assombalonga.
Dijksteel showed maturity way beyond his years in another solid defensive display that proves why Warnock favoured him over Dael Fry when bringing Paddy Mcnair into the defence.
Assombalonga, meanwhile, was by far Middlesbrough’s biggest attacking threat.
Ultimately though, Howson just gets the nod, for me – a composed display in the deep-lying central midfield role.
When Watford attacked he just always seemed to be there – reading the game well and regularly protecting the defence with interceptions.
In possession he was the coolest player on the pitch, with a superb first touch and some great passes getting Boro into dangerous areas. On two particular occasions he came close to notching an assist to his record with balls into Assombalonga.
A really encouraging display.
THE POSITIVE
Ahead of the game Warnock labelled Watford the best team in the Championship. But Boro matched them.
The hosts got their early goal, and it was ultimately enough to win them the game, but it was the visitors who were the better side on the balance of play.
They didn’t create enough, but they dominated possession and had the majority of the chances in a relatively scrappy and poor encounter.
Nobody likes to lose, especially the first game of the season, but Boro can take heart from their performance.
THE NEGATIVE
Boro needed something.
They were chasing an equaliser, they had Watford penned back deep into their own half, but they just couldn’t find a breakthrough.
When Warnock turned to his bench he saw little that, in his opinion could have changed the outcome of the game.
With no striker on the bench it was telling he made just one sub. Introducing Lewis Wing for George Saville had limited to no impact.
It was perhaps harsh on youngsters Marcus Browne and Hayden Coulson who could have had an influence had they been given a chance.
But it seems clear that Warnock was sending a big transfer message, as he seeks two new strikers before the window closes next month.
THE VERDICT
Nobody wants to start with a defeat but Boro won’t play many sides better than Watford this season. The Hornets were far from at their best, but credit must go to Middlesbrough and the way they set up to stop the hosts from threatening.
That they not only matched but at times dominated a side of the quality of Watford is certainly an encouraging start to the new campaign and a decent foundation to build on.
Warnock would prefer three points, but playing like that they should have plenty of those to come this season.