Rams v Middlesbrough

[RamBamFan]

Not sure how I feel going into this game. It's potentially the most important game of the season, and it's still so early.

Like us they were restricted on the first game of the season, but then destroyed the team we couldn't score against on Saturday. On the other hand we could have easily scored a hatful against Charlton on a different day.

Last season Karanka knew how to handle us perfectly in both games and we were made to look like boys against men. With Hughes out I'm struggling to see how this could change.

I'm very hopeful that I can be proven wrong though, I don't think they're as strong as last year and we have the potential to grab all three points if certain players are on their game.

[AnagRam]

If they had someone watching us on Saturday, which they will have, then George Thorne is going to get some serious 'attention'.
Hope we and he can handle that and that we have some alternative outlets. A repeat performance from Hanson and rather more from Hendrick would be seriously helpful.

[Stuartsays]

We will know a lot more about Paul Clement's squad after this game, that's for sure.

[RamBamFan]

QUOTE AnagRam: If they had someone watching us on Saturday, which they will have, then George Thorne is going to get some serious 'attention'.
Hope we and he can handle that and that we have some alternative outlets. A repeat performance from Hanson and rather more from Hendrick would be seriously helpful.

I agree, Thorne could get a kicking from Leadbitter and co. While I agree Hendrick was not brilliant, but he was at the centre of our best chances. He must have been doing something slightly right.

[AnagRam]

Agree he was far from dreadful RamBam, but he has much more to offer than he's shown for a while. Can't explain why. He's been talked up as a potential Premiership midfielder, interest from Villa etc, but he was certainly one of our least effective on Saturday and that seems to have been the case all too often for a long time now...very frustrating because at his best he's a real force.

[AngryRam]

I honestly don't think he will change a thing on Tuesday. If we play like that we will be fine.
He is 100% right in saying that we will play worse and win.

Boro is a big test, always a bogey team for us apart for the odd sporadic win in the past. Are we due one tomorrow? Hopefully.

We all saw signs of things coming together, we have to maintain that momentum for sure and keep the positive vibe going.. Inconsistency will haunt all teams this season, even if we draw again (and I think we will), we still have plenty of time.

[ManxRam]

I've a sneaky feeling we are going to open with 4 draws

[ramspride]

Our record against Boro is no that good. Hope I'm wrong but I can see Nugent scoring.

[AngryRam]

Quote Ramspride.
Our record against Boro is no that good. Hope I'm wrong but I can see Nugent scoring.

==========================================

Neither is your avatar Ramspride.. I am having nightmares about little chucky there.
Have a word with Roger he will sort you out a nice chavvy one.

[ellafella]

Clem will keep the same team. I think the atmosphere will be better than Saturday {so long as the 77 people who took the flags home bring them back }.

Although it's still early, this game can properly start our season. I can only see 1 or 2 goals in it. Not a disaster if we don't win, and let's face it a draw is the most likely, but I think, given the number of shots that just bobbled wide for us, and the fact that Charlton's goal was a lucky deflection, then maybe Lady Luck will reveal a bit of cleavage for us and the words Rams will be clearly visible. It's a nice thought anyway.