A comfortable victory over us might not be the best measure of Boro's Championship prospects this season, but I was quite impressed with them last night. For a friendly, their effort and competitiveness was quite sharp last night, and they moved the ball well. They looked the best side in the league for much of last season, and I detect a determination to ensure they don't have to rely on the playoffs again. Fabbrini looks a good signing, and they have Stuart Downing back - although he didn't feature last night. It will be interesting to see whether they pursue their monster bid for Jordan Rhodes or, if that fails, whether they make a similarly big move for another proven goalscorer. They are best priced 7/1 to take the Championship, which may not be overly-generous. But Derby and Forest seem perennial under-achievers and the relegated clubs don't convince as the sort of teams to immediately bounce back. For the purposes of this discussion I am discounting the "massives"! The addition of Rhodes could make a significant difference to Boro though. I think that if you backed them, you'd want the safety of each way (1/4 the odds, 1,2,3). Perhaps we'll have a look if Goodwood goes a bit better today!
They were twice as fast as us in both thought and movement. It was pretty even in the first half, especially as a physical battle, but they just upped a gear or two straight from the kick off in the second half and it was soon game over. Very impressed with Scowen and Pearson's commitment last night and there were a few loud tackles going in from elsewhere as well - Bree and Mawson for example. You can't ask much more than that at this stage. Our first eleven were not on the pitch last night. When they are we will be fine.
