So, the cup run is over, it was good while it lasted. (Honest)
When I saw the teams pre-match I told my Boro mates I was with in the pub that they would win 4-0, we just looked so unbalanced. However as the first half progressed our midfield was comfortable on the ball and, after a shaky start, the defence looked solid enough. The energy of Price and Saville (and to a lesser extent Wallace) meant that we got the ball down and passed well with McDonald pulling the strings. A lovely through ball sent Van La Parra clear on the left but instead of running at the goal he kind of ran a little too wide and slowed so that by the time he tried to hold up and find some support he was crowded out and his cross was easily cut out. An out and out attacker (ALF or Afobe) would of ran at the keeper and at least got a shot away.
Then it happened...a ball into the area from our right, a ball we had dealt comfortably with up to that point, just caused Ebanks-Landel to panic. The ball somehow got passed his attempted clearance and Adomah stepped around him and gave Ikeme no chance.
I expected (hoped) that we would see ALF for VLP at half time but that didn't happen and as the game went on EEL and Deslandes were targeted by Adomah and the rest of the Boro attack. The longer the game went, the more EELs head dropped...He began rushing passes and clearances and shanked the ball on a few occasions. Iorfa switched with him, moving to left sided centre back to split him and Deslandes but to no avail. Boro scored two more, one from a cross from our right which found Fabbrini in yards of space and the other from our left scored by Adomah which just showed up the inexperience in the back line.
Ikeme; Could do nothing to prevent the 3 goals and I was sure he got a fingertip on to the shot that crashed against our crossbar. 6
Doherty; Was often left 2 on 1 by the narrow midfield but played really well, good in the air and tried to support going forward as often as he could. 6.5
Iorfa; Was vocal, trying to keep the younger defenders in position but was fighting a losing battle. A captain in the making purhapse. 6
EEL; Dear me...He looked fine until the error for the first goal and then, in the second half, he just lost any confidence..A rabbit in the headlights! 4
Deslandes; Was very nervy early on against Adomah (Boros best player) but came into the game more and looked composed...Until he went missing for the 2nd and 3rd goals. Only young but there is definitely a good player in there. 5
Wallace; Not a right winger...Not a left winger! The boy tried and is competent on the ball. Needs to be played in the #10 role or not at all. 5
Price; The boy didn't miss a beat. He picked up where he left off. Busy, composed, did the basics and very well. Broke play up and played the easy ball. 8 MOTM
McDonald; Reports of a new contract looming could be right...He actually looked like he gave a shit or just maybe Price brings out the best in him. 7
Saville; A very busy performance. Switched from the left side to right. Strong in the tackle but sometimes very lose with his passing(or tried difficult passes rather than an easy one). Again, can't play wide and we lacked width until the arrival of Henry but not a bad performance. 6.5
RVLP; This boy is not a #10 and he is not a #9 either! He is fast but just doesn't have the game to play up front. Play him as a winger or don't play him. 4
Enobakare; Was left woefully isolated. Tried to get a couple of runs going on his own but it just wasn't working for him. He would of benefited from having ALF along side him rather than VLP. 5
Subs;
Afobe; Strange sub appearance. Didn't seem to care, didn't put much effort in but then came alive near the box and a few nice lay-offs/touches. 5
ALF; Came on and immediately put himself about, harrying the Boro back line with not much help from his team mates. 5.5
Henry; Came on and suddenly we had width...There was only 9 minutes left but at least we had a player out wide, running at the Boro defence. Mrs D asked why we didn't play him from the start as he clearly gave a damn! 6 (just not long enough on the pitch to warrant more)
A disappointing result in the end but a few bright spots....not many but Jack was back! McD had a partner who got him to look like he cared, Doherty had the best game I've seen from him for some time and Saville looked like he was better than a League One also ran. Sorry but that's all I've got
