Match thread WBA v Middlesbrough 16 Jan 2026

[Omegstrat6]

I look forward to the game starting to know exactly what the team formation is

Yep, the whole "clarity" thing hasn't got off to a particularly good start has it?😁

[Dubbag]

Yep, the whole "clarity" thing hasn't got off to a particularly good start has it?😁

Yeah the clarity is a bit fogged up alright....

[stargazer_1962]

Sounds like a good start on the radio

[Omegstrat6]

Sounds like a good start on the radio

Long way to go but yes, we seem to have settled for not being over concerned with possession and getting everyone behind the ball when Boro have it which is making it hard for them to break through our lines while breaking a lot faster-and in numbers-than we have done which has created us a few chances. Sky commentators also pointing out that Ramsay achieved a really good conversion rate from corners and set pieces in the MLS which is an area we certainly need to improve on.

Mikey playing as a wing back and having some joy going forward though yet to see him under real pressure defensively. Apparently, Ramsay identified a decent winger at Minneapolis and turned him into an even better wing back so maybe trying this here?

Boro having most of the possession but we've had most of the chances and doing well so far.

[phild]

Same old, same old- 0-1

[Bombers right foot]

Not impressed, I can see the game plan, but you can?t defend for 90mins we have to create something

[TipperaryBaggie]

I hope he has got a plan B,C and D! Midfield far too deep

[SwedishBaggie]

A bit Pulis-esque approach!?

Heggebo is, unfortunately, not a natural goal scorer. But then, who is in our thin squad!?

Clumsy OG.

Can we move forward second half!?

[Omegstrat6]

To be fair, I thought we started reasonably well first half and the Boro goal was a bit lucky but Boro are a decent side and have to agree that increasingly sitting so deep and relying on breaks to snatch goals is not a plan that was ever going to work for 90 minutes. As Tipp says, just hope that Ramsay has a Plan B and can flex his system as he claims

[phild]

Boro are light years ahead of us in skill and technique 0-2