MATCH REPORT: CITY 1, MIDDLESBROUGH 2

I usually write my match report immediately after a game.  My thinking is a bit like The Likely Lads – I’m trying to avoid seeing the reaction of others which may colour my judgement.

Well, it’s 7.30pm here now. While I have avoided all other reports on the game, I’m still not even sure what I make of it.

A few weeks ago I nailed my colours to the mast. Something had to change. And in startling evidence that Dean Smith reads this column, since then he not only switched to the diamond formation, as suggested by me some weeks ago but has also given Max Aarons more license to attack.

To be fair, most City fans were saying the same. The green shoots of recovery were just evident against QPR, more so against Rotherham in the little I saw of that game. And if I had written this report after 30 minutes of the game, or even at half-time, I might be writing something very different.

Boro were straight out of the blocks, charging at the City goal straight from the kickoff. For the first two or three minutes, City barely touched the ball as Boro passed the ball around. 

Another thing I noted was Smith’s choice to defend from the penalty box, which gives attacking wide players time and space before they are closed down. In the opening minutes, and a foretaste of what was to come, Jones and Giles put several crosses into the box – all of which were comfortably cut out by Hanley and Gibson.

After four minutes, City took control. It started with a long diagonal from Sam McCallum across the pitch to Max Aarons. He played it to Josh Sargent whose cross was claimed by USA compatriot Steffen.

For the next 10-15 minutes, I saw the first evidence of a Dean Smith game plan. Every time City lost the ball to Boro, they fought ferociously to regain possession as quickly as possible. Then in a succession of slick, passing moves they cut through the Boro defence. Gabriel Sara was impressive with little touches and passes that opened up opportunities for others. 

Pukki had a shot saved, Sara himself hit the side netting. It was eye-catching and impressive.

After seven minutes, City got their reward. A Sara through ball was blocked. Kenny McLean latched onto it and put a perfectly weighted pass to Josh Sargent who slotted neatly home.

From the restart, there was no let-up. Aarons played a great ball to Sara only for his shot to be saved.  Sara then played a lovely ball to Ramsey. His shot was palmed wide by Steffen for a corner.

When Boro did win the ball, all Jonny Howson could do was play an aimless ball forward to no one. 

After 15 minutes, Boro finally got a breather. They got the ball at the back and managed to sway passes between centre-backs to take the pressure off.  City dropped off, getting men behind the ball and stifled the subsequent move forward. 

Then City surged forward again. Ramsey played a long ball to Aarons. Initially, he lost it but immediately wrested possession back.  A long ball from Gibson was won by Sargent who laid it to Pukki. His shot was saved.

Boro then won more possession at the back and embarked sustained period where they kept the ball.  City dropped into a defensive shape and made themselves difficult to break down. 

Jones and Giles were still getting dangerous balls into the box but by and large City dealt with everything with aplomb. Angus Gunn didn’t have a save to make.

And this seems to be Smith’s style – certainly from his media comments – press hard to regain possession as quickly as possible in the opposition half. If that doesn’t work, drop off. Be difficult to break down.

City started the second half in a bright fashion. Sargent won a good header but McLean had no one to pass to and ended up coming backwards. Aarons played in Ramsey. His ball to Sargent allowed the American to cut back and shoot. The shot took a slight deflection but Steffen pushed it wide.

Boro then came back into it. Much like the first half, they made the most of possession, passing the ball between them, looking for Jones and Giles in the channels. In the middle, the dangerous Akpom began to see more of the ball.

City were dropping deeper and deeper. Unable to change gear and recover the intensity of the early phases of the game. 

You can argue that Boro knew what they were doing. Their passing had City players chasing back and forth, closing the opposition down and inevitably using energy – much like a boxer who stands in the middle of the ring and forces his opponent to run around the edge, before unleashing an attack in later rounds.

To continue the boxing analogy though, City continued to keep Boro at arm’s length and the visitors barely registered a blow. There were some warning signs as dangerous crosses flashed across the City area. 

After 60 minutes, in what looked like a forced move, Teemu Pukki was withdrawn and replaced by Onel Hernandez. City switched to 4-2-3-1. 

Minutes later, Boro were level. A headed ball forward caught Grant Hanley on the turn and McGree hit a sumptuous bicycle kick into the top corner.

From that moment on, there was only ever going to be one winner. While the intent of bringing Onel on was to introduce pace into the City attack, the change of shape undermined the effect as Sam McCallum, shorn of the protection Kenny McLean was providing, got pushed further and further back. 

After 71 minutes, McCallum gave way for Giannoulis and Todd Cantwell replaced Ramsey. For a short period, City looked more promising creating some slick moves. Aarons hit a great shot on the turn which went wide. 

At the other end though, Boro were carrying much more threat, Gunn being forced into his first save of the game from Akpom.

Hernandez was getting into some good positions but every time he seemed to want to cut back, then cut back again, and he never really got an effective shot off.

After 80 minutes, Sargent was caught on the edge of the area, appearing to twist his knee awkwardly.  He tried to play on but was replaced by Hugill shortly after. Nunez also replaced Sara.

City huffed and puffed but were largely toothless. Nunez played a superb cross-field ball but Hernandez couldn’t capitalize. Hugill nearly nicked the ball from the keeper.

However, the balance of play was with Boro and they were looking more and more like scoring. Dimi and Onel conspired to give Boro a throw on their right. Jones got through from the throw and his cross was slid in by Crooks.

In the six minutes of extra time, City produces some openings – superb balls from Cantwell and McLean were wasted. Jordan Hugill charged around a lot but little else. The on-watching Mark Attanasio was given a clear message as the final whistle went, and the boos echoed around Carrow Road.

Dean Smith may have a game plan, but the City players proved totally incapable of executing it. Once they dropped off in the first half, they were subsequently unable to raise the pace and tempo of their game in order to make the plan successful.  They never recreated the sustained pressure that yielded the goal.

The skill and ability is clearly there, as evidenced by the opening period, which makes the subsequent meek capitulation all the more galling. 

City lost bite, lost the will to win the ball back.  This can only be due to either lack of fitness, or lack of leadership and direction when the game got tough. 

Dean Smith apparently wants the players to work out these situations themselves. That feels like passing the buck to me.