Finn Azaz M Middlesborough b.2000

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

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.

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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?thre...ionship.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.

We can accommodate easily in a team with a back four as well. Just put him in instead of Szmodics.

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).

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

We can accommodate easily in a team with a back four as well. Just put him in instead of Szmodics.

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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.

Not a surprise that Azaz has been nominated for the PFA Fans' Championship Player of the Month (November), according to Teesside Live today.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

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.

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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

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Originally Posted by Demesne Lad

Not a surprise that Azaz has been nominated for the PFA Fans' Championship Player of the Month (November), according to Teesside Live today.

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Listening to the Football weekly podcast and their Football league expert has him probably player of the season so far in the Championship......

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November

Finn Azaz Wins November Player Of The Month Award - Middlesbrough FC

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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Originally Posted by Eirambler

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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I have liked moran when I've seen stoje games this year playing that deep midfield position

It's fair to say Stoke fans don't share your view! I don't think he offers enough off the ball to play that role, he needs to be further forward with two stronger midfielders behind him. He has lost his starting place in recent weeks and Lawal coming back to fitness will probably push him further down the order also.

A real talent.

Are we capable of correctly incorporating him into our side and getting the best out of him, though? I'm not so sure.

In the past when we were at our height, we were capable of getting the very best out of every player, ensuring we were always more than the sum of our parts. Now, sadly, I believe the opposite is true.

Another assist today to throw on the pile - that's 14 goal contributions for the Championship season so far. Well on course to better his 21 from last season if he stays injury free (and assuming he isn't bought in January).

A goal and an assist for him in the first 15 minutes today.

Another goal on 31st minute.

17th goal contribution of the season for him. Must be close to the top of the Championship table on that stat.

Tough one for young Cork lad Otegbayo making his first league start at centre back for Wednesday.

Edit - 1st in assists, joint 1st in contributions, joint 6th (with Cannon) in goals.

Eight goals in his last eleven games from midfield - if he keeps this form up in March, then we have a very good chance

Azaz is the form player of the squad - should be starting next game if he keeps it up

Breaks his 10 game run without a goal or an assist. Hopefully the start of another decent run ahead of March. I do wonder how a section of our support base will deal with his Israeli background longer term, hopefully not an issue but you couldn't be certain.