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Post by newby on Jan 22, 2024 14:33:41 GMT
Perversely I'm hoping for an Ipswich win, though a draw wouldn't be a bad result. About time Leicester had a bit of a stumble, just to throw in a bit of doubt. In the long term I'm more worried by Southampton's form than Ipswich.
We seem to be alone in having a midweek game on Wednesday, it won't be a gimme against Norwich but it would be nice to get the points in the bag.
Tuesday we have the 2nd leg of the Carabao Cup, hope Boro can hold on to their 1 goal advantage, upset the odds and make it to the final.
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Post by newby on Jan 22, 2024 22:54:33 GMT
And a draw it was, I watched the 2nd half and really enjoyed it. Both teams played some attractive football and Ipswich deserved their equaliser and might have nicked it at the end.
Not too much damage done to us in the chasing pack.
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Post by slowleftarmer on Jan 23, 2024 7:32:53 GMT
Anyway, big game tonight for the Boro....UTB!
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Post by karma on Jan 23, 2024 8:40:08 GMT
Best of luck in the EFL tonight Slowleftarmer , it's only a game of eleven v eleven and if Middlesborough play with the passion we know they have, the greater desire to win , absorb the pressure and then hit them on the break . I predict 0 - 1 on the night and newspaper headlines:
Middleborough Dump Chelsea out of Cup
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Post by newby on Jan 23, 2024 17:35:15 GMT
As well as the Carabao cup semi-final there is also the question of what might happen at Reading tonight.
The team have been ordered to replay the game abandoned due to the pitch invasion against Port Vale the other Saturday and they are due to play their first home game since then tonight.
They have a suspended 3 point deduction hanging over their heads to be triggered if fans disrupt any more games during the next two season.
I suspect they might have a few extra stewards available, and have had to shell out for a bigger police presence too.
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Post by davemorton on Jan 23, 2024 18:01:12 GMT
Middleborough Dump Chelsea out of Cup
Presumably that would be the Grauniad headline, Karma, now don't get cross with me...
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Post by karma on Jan 23, 2024 20:17:10 GMT
No need for me to get cross, I've had my medication!
I've never taken to the Guardian but Private Eye, now that is funny and part of the Government's opposition given that the Official one is a bit weak. Oops slipped into politics
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Post by byased on Jan 23, 2024 20:44:03 GMT
Headline looks more likely to be Middlesbrough get thumped in cup, unless the second half is a lot different. York and Scarborough both winning which is good. You may class me as odd, but I am following these games on line, whilst cycling (virtually) around Lake Geneva, listening to the second and third Black Sabbath albums on headphones. The miles go by quite quickly.
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Post by karma on Jan 23, 2024 20:54:11 GMT
Yes , I'm following a livestream of the York game , through the National League. Although I rarely watch footy on TV I've seen very little in person over the last couple of weeks so on computer with headphones and nodding when my wife talks to me.
Own-goal got Chelsea the equaliser. Well done Scarborough.
You should be playing some bicycle music on your 'travels'.
oh dear Chelsea 4 - 0 up.
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Post by newby on Jan 23, 2024 21:08:42 GMT
Isiah Jones is a big miss for Boro. They have very little going forward and their defence is a right mess tonight, at least so far.
Johnny Howson was always a favourite of mine in his Leeds United days, he can probably still do a job in the Championship, but he looks shocking against Premier league players.
Time to concentrate on the league as they say.
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Post by karma on Jan 23, 2024 21:12:29 GMT
You are right. I think the Chelsea coach pinned my post up in their dressing room to motivate his team.
Middlesborough are on the promotion fringe , concentrate on that.
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Post by karma on Jan 23, 2024 21:49:42 GMT
Six lucky goals for Chelsea but both Scarborough and York won away from home , with York's winner against Oxford City 15 seconds before the final whistle.
Strangely enough Oxford United were also at home and also lost to another Yorkshire club Barnsley, well done!
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Post by slowleftarmer on Jan 24, 2024 7:31:08 GMT
well that went well didnt it. I gave up watching at half time at 4-0 but that was long after some of the Boro team had given up trying to defend and it looked like at least 3 goals were suicidal defending, with this fancy notion of playing the ball out from the back - yes it works if you are good enough or average and against an average team, but when you are playing against a better team they punish your errors and you have to play differently. I would have settled for watching a good old 70s game of kick it and hoof it as we tried to defend our 1-0 advantage.
Anyway, dont want to be too harsh as it was a good effort to get that far against money bags teams, but back to the league and push for top 6 now please.
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Post by newby on Jan 24, 2024 9:17:52 GMT
You weren't alone in giving up at half time. Still a third of the season to go, they need to get some players fit and keep themselves in the play-off picture if they can.
I hope last night hasn't completely blown their confidence.
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Post by slowleftarmer on Jan 24, 2024 9:21:32 GMT
A bit of pressure now on Carrick with only the league to focus on and some improvement needed - not being able to beat lowly Rotherham at home is not acceptable.
But Carrick is shrewd and canny and now he knows the fixtures for the rest of the season might need to make a couple of key loan signings to provide some impetus for a play off place push.
I like Carrick - its funny how of the golden generation of English midfielders he is probably the one who has taken to management better than Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney. But then he joined a supportive club with a patient Chairman and he came from the school of Fergie so had a good mentor to learn from.
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