"I prefer to analyse the game when I arrive home - I don't know if some of my players think they are untouchable but it is disappointing the way some played."
Full marks if you identified the vintage of the Karanka quote above as following the visit of tomorrow’s Owls opponents to The Riverside last August when they took all three points rather than last Tuesday evening’s version after a Boro win!
The head coach won’t want a third go at those themes tomorrow teatime.
But Special K was spot on when he labelled the Tuesday win over Bolton as one of his Boro’s worst displays but most important wins.
At this crucial stage of the campaign, never mind the quality, feel the three points is the right order of priorities – if you can’t get both.
Last Saturday’s Leeds loss and the other midweek Championship top eight results underlined that, though Bournemouth blinked again.
I think Karanka’s "I didn’t recognise some players" comment reflects the frustrations of an uneven sequence of recent games, not just last Tuesday.
He identified that individual personality and confidence has been missing and may have been affected by the different pressures of trying to stay in the top two rather than chasing them down.
Though Gorgeous denies it, I believe his boss has put his finger on the right cause and effect and can put things right while Boro are still in the automatic spot they have earned.
But I’d say that the issues go beyond individuals to the units and the team.
Dealing with them effectively means more than cutting out the individual errors that have recently cost the proud clean sheet record until Tuesday’s shut out.
Dimi’s return from suspension was a big part of the improvement making his new contract even more welcome.
Action Images
Dimi Konstantopoulos celebrates a Boro goal
Boro’s back line held out despite the last 15 dropping too deep defending of pressure that narrow margin nervy Boro brought on themselves.
Bolton nil was second in importance only to the win.
Unsurprisingly, Karanka also went after the errors at the other end of the park with even Bam-Bam catching the banjo - bovine bum bug on Tuesday.
Uncle Albert picked a great time to get back on the goal trail and the assist from Tomlin was a rare moment of defence splitting quality in appreciation and delivery.
The Ghana winger’s post-match comments about his different role and impact on his scoring record were illuminating.
But I think there’s also been grit in the gears of the usually reliable engine room.
Leadbelter hasn’t been getting the support from Clayts in recent games that made that partnership the division's best for weeks and Forshaw isn’t yet showing enough to take over.
But I’m sure Karanka will do the needful and the 4,000-strong travelling parmo army will see the impact at Hillsborough.
Though it’s only an extra day or so over recent between games intervals, the time at R&R Rockliffe can be relief, reinvigoration and routines re-inforced.
That can best be turned into a result by going same again in selection and set out – in the continued absence of Dani Ayala the Tuesday starters are the first picks and need another chance to show it.
Boro at their best width in the attacking midfield three will be key with Hillsborough’s flanks the only grassed part of the field but Muzzy may not be on the bench because of it.
The Owls won at Millwall in midweek with serial Boro botherer Nuhiu on the scoresheet again.
But they haven’t three pointed at home since the turn of the year, with three draws and one defeat, often struggling to score but not conceding many.
It would be good to see revitalised reds tomorrow and have the long-suffering Wednesdayites suffer some more.
C’mon Boro!
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