Not to mention, to add to what was stated above, last season Carrick took over a Middlesbrough side mired in the relegation zone and steered them into the play-offs, so absolutely no reason why he shouldn't repeat the trick this time around.
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Not to mention, to add to what was stated above, last season Carrick took over a Middlesbrough side mired in the relegation zone and steered them into the play-offs, so absolutely no reason why he shouldn't repeat the trick this time around.
I'm not a huge fan of Boro for some unknown reason and, based on who else was mentioned as sniffing around, would have thought a move to Southampton or Bristol City would be more appealing to Finn as they are both closer to PAFC and not grim north. Still though, its a permanent move and to a decent, fairly high profile club. After that goal at the weekend, he's left PAFC with something special to remember him by!
https://pasoti.co.uk/threads/finn-az...firmed.126133/
53 pages, the crying really starts around page 12
Good friend of mine from when I did my degree in UL is a Boro fan, so I've always watched out for their results
From reading the tweet machine some EFL writers seem to think Azaz is a steal for what Boro are paying for him….
Boro had to pay £1m to Brentford as compensation for Alex Gilbert so £2m for Azaz is a steal. Fact they are the only team to bid for him I wouldn't read much into Southampton or Bristol supposedly being interested.Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Though surprised Bristol didn't put more effort into signing him as they're crying out for technical number 10.
I still recall watching match of the day when Boro, in the top flight, fielded 7 or 8 Irish players. A few years ago mind.
I believe its a beautiful city!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
As far as I know, Middlesbrough is not a city, despite several applications to become one. It has one Grade 1 listed building.
Historically, air pollution was high - the equivalent of smoking 93 cigs a year, according to the British Heart Foundation four years ago.
Middlesbrough's air pollution worst in the north east and equivalent to smoking 90 cigarettes a year | ITV News Tyne Tees
More recently, the Middlesbrough Council claim that their data "tells us that Middlesbrough's air quality is often better than other towns and cities in Britain, and continues to meet national air quality standards."
Young Azaz should be alright if he lives in Yarm, or Darlington.
Historical data here https://aqicn.org/city/united-kingdom/middlesbrough/ says it has some intermittant air quality issues, but it looks noticably better than the various locations in London I tried on the same website.Quote:
Originally Posted by Demesne Lad
"[Carrick says Azaz] could make his debut for Middlesbrough in the FA Cup this weekend against Aston Villa, following his €3m move from Villa."
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/sports/foo...ve/ar-AA1msLQ2
Ties in with an unofficial club/town nickname, the SmoggiesQuote:
Originally Posted by Demesne Lad
Harry Pearson is from Middlesbrough; he writes some very good humorous football columns (plus books like The Far Corner on local football in that area). He's...aware of the town's shortcomings in his writing, shall we say.
So is John Nicholson, who writes for football365. He had a stroke in November but is recovering well
And the best TV rant ever is about Middlesbrough
Tis a good rant, but it's no "Your boys took one hell of a beating" or "I would love it if we beat them - love it"
Villa likely to insert a 'buy back' clause in any deal with 'Boro.
Aston Villa to insert buy-back clause in Finn Azaz Middlesbrough transfer (astonvillanews.co.uk)
Agree it's a good move for the lad.
Ought to be given a serious chance to stake his claim by the next manager.
Is he cup-tied or injured or just not picked? Not in the squad for either FA Cup or League Cup semi tonight?
Played for Plymouth in the league cup, so he's cup tied. Apparently was an agreement that he wouldn't play against Villa in the FA cup after leaving then for Boro last week
Straight into the starting XI for 'Boro, away to Millwall.
Another side of Azaz. Bodes well for his future, however his football career goes.
Former Plymouth Argyle star Finn Azaz was St Luke's Hospice volunteer - Plymouth Live (plymouthherald.co.uk)
We dont have too many in the squad capable of that. Peach of a goalQuote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
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...Quote:
Originally Posted by JR89
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by JR89
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.
Can you imagine if Israeli came in for him!
This place would spontaneously combust!
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 inQuote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
He's a good long range shooter, fit right in with themQuote:
Originally Posted by liamoo11
As WBs yeah but both playing in a back four is suicide waiting to happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by liamoo11
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 upQuote:
Originally Posted by JR89
Was just going to post that - interesting article! Here's the uncle on wiki (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.
Great article. Warms the cockles.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by third policeman
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.