View Full Version : Finn Azaz M Middlesborough b.2000
Razors left peg
14/02/2024, 11:51 PM
Got his first goal for Boro and his 8th of the season, 7 assists. Absolute belter.
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We dont have too many in the squad capable of that. Peach of a goal
It's still a massive head scratcher how this lad hasn't been called up before.
elatedscum
15/02/2024, 10:33 PM
It's still a massive head scratcher how this lad hasn't been called up before.
I feel like there's a tonne of attacking midfielders operating at broadly a pretty similar level, basically above average championship midfielders. As to how he only got one cap for the 21s, only Jim knows that...
Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Azaz, Taylor, Moran, Sykes. Ronan and McGrath are also there or thereabouts, despite playing in different leagues. I feel Danno Mandriou and Connor Noss also have the ability to be in the conversation if they were playing at a higher level and convincing at that level...
I feel like there's a tonne of attacking midfielders operating at broadly a pretty similar level, basically above average championship midfielders. As to how he only got one cap for the 21s, only Jim knows that...
Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Azaz, Taylor, Moran, Sykes. Ronan and McGrath are also there or thereabouts, despite playing in different leagues. I feel Danno Mandriou and Connor Noss also have the ability to be in the conversation if they were playing at a higher level and convincing at that level...
Believe the reason he only has one cap for the 21s is his paperwork wasn't sorted until the summer of 2022 just before we played that playoff game.
Azaz though offers something different that Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Taylor, and Sykes would offer. October and November windows last year he really
liamoo11
17/02/2024, 12:34 PM
Believe the reason he only has one cap for the 21s is his paperwork wasn't sorted until the summer of 2022 just before we played that playoff game.
Azaz though offers something different that Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Taylor, and Sykes would offer. October and November windows last year he really
I agree on this. I think we are poor in midfield and playing 5 at the back only ended up making us weaker and more vulnerable in the middle of the field. Hopefully we move back to 4 at the back and the let's us play a narrow box 5 in midfield and 2 up front with our width coming from full backs. To me that means ogbene and ebosele are your fullbacks simply for running power and pace. Smallbone and hodge your defensive 2 who are comfortable running with the ball and passing forward and then azaz and Knight or maybe moran as the more forward 2 in midfield a little bit of creativity.
Two in two now for Finn as he settles in at Boro. Sounds like another thumper.
Just seen it and while it wasn’t a thumper, it was a beautiful dinked finish over the keeper who was almost at his feet. Very nice goal. He’s just been subbed off and he had a good second half too. Winning free kicks with his footwork and found a couple of nice passes against a stretched Leicester backline.
McAteer on for Leicester and has been lively enough.
Diggs246
17/02/2024, 3:11 PM
Can you imagine if Israeli came in for him!
This place would spontaneously combust!
Diggs246
17/02/2024, 5:19 PM
As I understand it he qualifies for Israel
Sorry should have elaborated before
liamoo11
17/02/2024, 7:21 PM
As I understand it he qualifies for Israel
Sorry should have elaborated before
To be fair they have a good bit of land to offer him to settle in
Razors left peg
17/02/2024, 7:39 PM
To be fair they have a good bit of land to offer him to settle in
He's a good long range shooter, fit right in with them
I agree on this. I think we are poor in midfield and playing 5 at the back only ended up making us weaker and more vulnerable in the middle of the field. Hopefully we move back to 4 at the back and the let's us play a narrow box 5 in midfield and 2 up front with our width coming from full backs. To me that means ogbene and ebosele are your fullbacks simply for running power and pace. Smallbone and hodge your defensive 2 who are comfortable running with the ball and passing forward and then azaz and Knight or maybe moran as the more forward 2 in midfield a little bit of creativity.
As WBs yeah but both playing in a back four is suicide waiting to happen.
liamoo11
18/02/2024, 2:52 PM
As WBs yeah but both playing in a back four is suicide waiting to happen.
I don't think so. We don't have centrehalves who are prepared to step into midfield and play so when we play a 5 it's simy giving up our central area in midfield which is why we conceded so many long range shots that were unchallenged. Full backs who are athletic can get up and down and ogbene and ebosele offer that athleticism that not many have. The days of a fullback defending one on one against a winger are long gone it's not lee Dixon against ryan giggs any more, that's just not how sides set up
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Turns out that Azaz's dad is from Cork and that Cork dual star Brian Murphy is his great uncle.
pineapple stu
28/03/2024, 9:51 AM
Was just going to post that - interesting article! Here's the uncle on wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Murphy_(Gaelic_games)) (I'm sure someone will add the link to Azaz soon)
Thought he looked lively when he came on. Hopefully finds his feet at Boro soon and doesn't let the Plymouth momentum slip; could be a real addition.
SkStu
28/03/2024, 11:39 AM
Great article. Warms the cockles.
Suprised this didnt get a mention yesterday so i'll do the honours... grabbed his third goal in 16 games for Boro - started and finished it in a way, loved how he used both feet so effectively.
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Stuttgart88
11/04/2024, 3:13 PM
Great goal, great commentary. His last two touches were lovely. Perfect left foot touch, deft finish.
Hints of Nottm Forest Roy Keane about it?
third policeman
11/04/2024, 4:15 PM
Great goal, great commentary. His last two touches were lovely. Perfect left foot touch, deft finish.
Hints of Nottm Forest Roy Keane about it?
He's been so impressive at Championship level, it's strange that Villa were never willing to give him an opportunity. Hopefully he makes them regret their decision to let him go.
He's been so impressive at Championship level, it's strange that Villa were never willing to give him an opportunity. Hopefully he makes them regret their decision to let him go.
Azaz will be 24 in September and will have one season of championship football under his belt. Villa are playing European knockout football and could end up qualifying for the CLs. No disrespect to Azaz but he's nowhere at the level that Villa are looking for atm. Could develop into a PL player but needs to be playing regular for that to happen which wouldn't with Villa. Was hinted at they would insert a buy back clause in his transfer and the small fee he went for imo would point towards a few clauses in his transfer.
Eirambler
27/04/2024, 3:13 PM
11th league goal of the season for him today. Impressive return given he's not a striker.
That goal means this season has seen the most goals from Irish players in the Championship for 15 years.
A goal and two assists for what it’s worth!
Eirambler
27/04/2024, 3:25 PM
11th league goal of the season for him today. Impressive return given he's not a striker.
That goal means this season has seen the most goals from Irish players in the Championship for 15 years.
Alex Gilbert quickly follows it up with another Irish goal in the same game. A shame he's four days overage for the Under 21s.
Olé Olé
27/04/2024, 4:24 PM
Alex Gilbert quickly follows it up with another Irish goal in the same game. A shame he's four days overage for the Under 21s.
I didn't realize Gilbert was after coming into minutes recently. This looks like his first start and he assisted Azaz' goal too so goal and assist for him as well.
tetsujin1979
27/04/2024, 4:35 PM
Alex Gilbert quickly follows it up with another Irish goal in the same game. A shame he's four days overage for the Under 21s.
I think that's his first goal in senior football
Eirambler
27/04/2024, 5:25 PM
A goal and two assists for what it’s worth!
11 goals and 10 assists in the Championship this season, despite switching club half way through. Very impressive.
A real pity that O'Shea only saw fit to give him three minutes across the two games in March. With O'Shea back in again for June it could be more of the same and more development opportunities ****ed away thanks to the failure of Canham and the FAI to fulfil their briefs.
tetsujin1979
27/04/2024, 5:47 PM
The two games were discussed briefly on second captains on Friday, they made the point that it'll have been a month since anyone in the championship played, and with O'Shea still being an interim manager, could we see a load of pull outs from the squad?
Eirambler
27/04/2024, 8:46 PM
I expect we will. Especially if the suggestions that the players were unimpressed with O'Shea in March are true. It's a long season for the players, questionable whether it's worth continuing to train for over a month just for a couple of friendlies. I'd expect many to have/find niggly injuries that require them to rest up until preseason.
seanfhear
27/04/2024, 9:02 PM
I expect we will. Especially if the suggestions that the players were unimpressed with O'Shea in March are true. It's a long season for the players, questionable whether it's worth continuing to train for over a month just for a couple of friendlies. I'd expect many to have/find niggly injuries that require them to rest up until preseason.
Probably " advised " by their clubs to look after themselves.
pineapple stu
27/04/2024, 10:06 PM
11 goals and 10 assists in the Championship this season, despite switching club half way through. Very impressive.
And struggling a bit after moving to Boro too. That's nicely in the past now though.
First Irish player since Alan Judge in 15/16 to reach double digits in goals and assists. According to Second Tier Podcasts Kevin Doyle (04/05), Liam Lawrence (07/08), and Shane Long (10/11) also did it.
Eirambler
11/10/2024, 7:11 PM
Not that it was particularly in doubt or anything, but Azaz's appearance last night means he is now formally cap-tied to Ireland. He was still eligible for England and Israel up until last night.
MancIrishWolf
23/10/2024, 9:14 PM
Sky Sports MOTM after a great assist for Boro’s goal. Sounds like he’s playing with a lot more confidence since the international break.
https://www.skysports.com/football/video/12606/13239950/latte-lath-ends-boro-goal-drought-with-powerful-header
MancIrishWolf
09/11/2024, 1:21 PM
Two goals and an assist today. Has well and truly won over the Boro fans, after apparently lacking confidence earlier in the season. Looks to be fulfilling his potential as we hoped. Certainly encouraging that Carrick holds him in such high regard, who will hopefully teach him a thing or two.
https://fmttmboro.com/index.php?threads/the-unofficial-official-middlesbrough-v-luton-town-11-24-match-day-thread.63444/page-22
Eirambler
09/11/2024, 1:22 PM
Some Irish supporters are getting a bit excited over Moran, but while he has a lot of potential Azaz is miles ahead of him at this point in time. Two goals and an assist against Luton today and was involved in Middlesbrough's other two goals as well.
Two goals and two assists for Azaz today so far. I might not be exaggerating to say we should be building a midfield approach around him.
pineapple stu
23/11/2024, 5:24 PM
And hit the woodwork. (And got booked)
Not a bad afternoon's work. Wasn't he left out of HH's first squad? Seems strange in retrospect, though I think he had a slow start to the season
Eirambler
23/11/2024, 10:32 PM
HH didn't pick HH's first squad so, taking account of who did pick it, it's probably not that big a surprise.
But yes, I think we should be playing a three man midfield in every game and, whatever the make up of the rest of it, he should be the most advanced of the three.
Tets - can we add Finn Azaz to the players thread thread? Cheers.
tetsujin1979
28/11/2024, 6:15 PM
Tets - can we add Finn Azaz to the players thread thread? Cheers.
Done. Missed a few like that.
Eirambler
30/11/2024, 7:47 PM
Another goal today. He's in great form, but it's not really even just form, his numbers were phenomenal last season also despite a club switch mid way through.
I often wonder why non Irish born Ireland players don't generate the same column inches and online social media buzz that Irish born players do. If Andrew Moran was producing anything close to the output Azaz is producing lads would be absolutely creaming themselves over him (some are anyway). But Azaz does it and there's hardly a word about it when he doesn't start Ireland games.
He's far an away the obvious candidate to give us something in terms of an attacking midfielder that we haven't had for years, and yet you really don't hear much noise about him at all.
samhaydenjr
30/11/2024, 8:30 PM
Another goal today. He's in great form, but it's not really even just form, his numbers were phenomenal last season also despite a club switch mid way through.
I often wonder why non Irish born Ireland players don't generate the same column inches and online social media buzz that Irish born players do. If Andrew Moran was producing anything close to the output Azaz is producing lads would be absolutely creaming themselves over him (some are anyway). But Azaz does it and there's hardly a word about it when he doesn't start Ireland games.
He's far an away the obvious candidate to give us something in terms of an attacking midfielder that we haven't had for years, and yet you really don't hear much noise about him at all.
It may also be down to the fact that Azaz had to play two seasons in League two and one in League one, before reaching Championship level at the age of 23. Meanwhile Moran was wanted by big Championship sides from when he was still 19. That gives the impression of higher potential. That said, Moran might plateau at that level or worse while Azaz drives Middlesbrough to the Premier league. Or Moran might really start to develop in the New year and break into the Brighton team next season.
MancIrishWolf
30/11/2024, 10:43 PM
Another goal today. He's in great form, but it's not really even just form, his numbers were phenomenal last season also despite a club switch mid way through.
I often wonder why non Irish born Ireland players don't generate the same column inches and online social media buzz that Irish born players do. If Andrew Moran was producing anything close to the output Azaz is producing lads would be absolutely creaming themselves over him (some are anyway). But Azaz does it and there's hardly a word about it when he doesn't start Ireland games.
He's far an away the obvious candidate to give us something in terms of an attacking midfielder that we haven't had for years, and yet you really don't hear much noise about him at all.
Totally agree on this. The lad looks quality and we need to be building the team around him. Was impressed with him first time I saw him in the U21 qualifier against Israel and he’s continually progressed since - seems a naturally intelligent lad, which shows in his willingness to learn and his awareness - strike today was beautiful, caressing it into the top corner.
With 6 goals and 5 assists in his last 7 games Boro fans are rightfully buzzing about him:
https://fmttmboro.com/index.php?threads/finn-azaz-best-player-in-the-championship.64025/
Concerning if HH is trying to fit square pegs in round holes with 4 at the back. We have an abundance of good centre backs and two decent PL strikers in Ferguson & Szmodics, playing a 3-5-2 with Azaz pulling the strings behind the front two would fit much better with our current personnel. Especially if one of the centre half’s play out from the back like Amorim deploys three out the back, which Collins is doing very effectively this season, as he showed today.
Eirambler
01/12/2024, 7:18 AM
We can accommodate easily in a team with a back four as well. Just put him in instead of Szmodics.
MancIrishWolf
01/12/2024, 7:44 AM
Agree that he can and should fit in both systems. Just means unnecessarily omitting a decent PL striking option in Szmodics and potentially a decent PL defensive option in O’Shea (dropped, or played out of position) to fit an antiquated formation, which doesn’t fit our current personnel (especially with players like Ebosele, Manning, Ogbene & O’Dowda more suited to a wing-back role).
seanfhear
01/12/2024, 7:52 AM
We can accommodate easily in a team with a back four as well. Just put him in instead of Szmodics.
I have theory that you can basically fit any player in to a 4-5-1 formation ~ ~ If you can't find a place in a 4-5-1 formation you might as well give up football. I mean 4-5-1 can just be turned in to 4-2-3-1 in attack just like that ! Ok, that would be very attacking if the situation required that.
Demesne Lad
03/12/2024, 5:10 PM
Not a surprise that Azaz has been nominated for the PFA Fans' Championship Player of the Month (November), according to Teesside Live today.
elatedscum
03/12/2024, 6:17 PM
I have theory that you can basically fit any player in to a 4-5-1 formation ~ ~ If you can't find a place in a 4-5-1 formation you might as well give up football. I mean 4-5-1 can just be turned in to 4-2-3-1 in attack just like that ! Ok, that would be very attacking if the situation required that.
There are plenty of strikers who are much much better in a pair. You also have a certain type of defensively poor full-back, exposed in a back 4 too often and either not explosive enough or not a good enough attacker to work as a winger - and they suit playing as a wing-back
joey B
04/12/2024, 2:55 PM
Not a surprise that Azaz has been nominated for the PFA Fans' Championship Player of the Month (November), according to Teesside Live today.
Listening to the Football weekly podcast and their Football league expert has him probably player of the season so far in the Championship......
Demesne Lad
13/12/2024, 9:04 AM
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November
Finn Azaz Wins November Player Of The Month Award - Middlesbrough FC (https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2024/december/13/finn-azaz-wins-november-player-of-the-month/)
Eirambler
13/12/2024, 11:11 AM
Well deserved, and his emergence in the last year gives us a really useful option in terms of an attacking midfielder ahead of the Bulgaria games, especially given Moran's disappointing showings at Stoke this season.
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