Boro v Plymouth
Friday 18th April 2025
KO 15:00 Hours
Riverside Stadium
Well this is the last game preview allocated to me for this season and hopefully the game will result in a win for the Boro whom are currently in 8th position. Sadly it looks likely that our playoff ship has sailed and Boro are sunk and wrecked !
If Boro could only get the strikers scoring goals and not shooting six yards over the bar and we had a pair of central defenders who put their minds and bodies on the line to keep our goal intact then we may have had a chance. Losing Neto has made the difference to the defence and VDB does not look like the same player since returning from injury.
Samuel Iling-Junior has made his name and has come into Boro’s Most-Wanted list after recent performances.
The Aston Villa player joined Mark Travers among the January loan signings. I’m sure that Diasborians would love to see both of them back at the Riverside next season.
Whilst It’s taken time for him to bed in, Iling-Junior has now become a settled and important member of the side. It’s strange that his best position has proven to be at left-back when we all assumed he was initially brought in as a right-wing replacement for the injured Ben Doak.
I don’t know if Boro have a chance of bringing Iling-Junior here as a summer signing, as it will depend on several factors. It is also heavily dependent of how Iling-Junior sees his own future progressing. Apparently he’s now fluent in Italian and may even fancy another shot at playing in Italy next season.
Of course, Villa will no doubt have a big say too. They will be monitoring his progress on Teesside and he could yet have a role to play at Villa Park next term.
The best attributes of Iling-Junior are that he can play virtually anywhere, on either flank and also in central midfield. His impact at left-back during the last few games with the Boro has been growing and he stepped up yet another gear at Blackburn and was largely positive against Leeds.
With Neto Borges having picked up an injury at Ewood Park, Iling-Junior’s presence in the team has become more important than ever. I have to admit at the start of the season that I expected Alex Bangura to nail the left-back shirt this season. His injury, and problems for Lukas Engel, (remember him?) opened the door for Neto Borges to step up on his game and begin to make an impact in the role.
Back came Ryan Giles on loan and we all thought that everything was settled again, especially as Borges had to be moved into the middle to solve a central defensive crisis. However, Giles failed to make an initial impact and not only has Iling-Junior taken over the shirt, but he looks every bit the part.
One player who no doubt would love to see Iling-Junior remain is his England Under-21 international colleague Hayden Hackney, who was omnipresent at Blackburn in completely controlling the game. This was arguably as well as Hackney has played in recent weeks. Hopefully he will maintain this terrific standard throughout the run-in.
With big clubs said to be watching Hackney’s progress with great interest, this is another reason why Boro should stay in top gear and do everything within their power to try to achieve Premier League status.
CHRIS Wilder apparently angrily confronted two Plymouth players after what the Sheffield United manager described as a "huge, huge victory" for Argyle ahead of Plymouth’s visit to the Riverside on Good Friday.
Plymouth stunned the Blades with two late goals at Home Park on Saturday as Wilder's faltering side fell to their third successive defeat, huge blows in their battle to win automatic promotion this season.
After the game Wilder addressed his players on the pitch and was then involved in what former Sheffield United and Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown described on Sky Sports as "not good scenes".
The Sheffield United boss confronted Mustapha Bundu and Darko Gyabi before the altercation between Wilder and both sets of players continued in the tunnel.
Plymouth defender Matthew Sorinola has been ruled out of the remainder of the Championship season with a thigh injury.
The 24-year-old wing-back played the full 90 minutes at Swansea recently but picked up a quadriceps injury.
Goalkeeper Conor Hazard has seen a lot of highs and lows during his near two full seasons at Plymouth Argyle but one thing that he says has not changed is the fervour of the fans.
Hazard arrived at Home Park from Celtic on a three-year contract in July 2023 and since then he has played under four different managers/head coaches - Steven Schumacher, Ian Foster, Wayne Rooney and now Miron Muslic. There have also been two spells where coach Kevin Nancekivell has been in temporary charge, the first with Neil Dewsnip, the second with Joe Edwards.
Players have come and gone with great regularity, including goalkeeper Michael Cooper, who worked alongside Hazard last season before signing for Sheffield United last August, and for whom the Northern Ireland international holds in very high regard.
Nikola Katic is fully focused on playing his part in Plymouth Argyle's battle to escape relegation from the Championship as the season - and his loan spell with the Pilgrims - draws to a close.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international defender has made regular appearances since arriving on loan from Swiss Super League club FC Zurich towards the end of the January transfer window.
Hazard described Muslic as 'incredible to work with' after the Austrian was appointed head coach in January following the departure of Wayne Rooney, who had only been in charge since the summer. Hazard said: "Believe it or not, the club stays the same. This club, Argyle, and the fanbase is always going to be behind you. It's always a family club that no matter who comes in, or what type of manager comes in, they always adapt to the way the club is.
So Diasborians what do we think the result is going to be ?
Me ????
I’m going for Boro3 of course
OFB
Thanks for the starter, @ofb - it’s good that you’re feeling well enough to get us off and running for another “must win” game.
I don’t think any of us know what to expect on Friday - I may be tempted to concentrate my attention on Wigan Warriors vs Saint Helens as my egg shaped ball team continue to get back to last season’s all conquering form.
I’ll fill my glass half-full and predict a 2-0 win for the Boro.
Thanks OFB for a detailed opener, glad to see you firing on all cylinders again and hopefully you will complete Part 3 of the challenge.
Everyone please note there was an error in the Part 3 fixture list ( Shef Utd 3rd match against Stoke is an away fixture not home) I have published a revised fixture list.
Come on BORO.
Thanks OFB for a detailed opener. Much appreciated and hopefully an indication that you are feeling better if not yet restored to full health.
No idea what will happen on Friday but a win any win is needed. Trouble is it’s against the bottom club who are fighting for survival and who we always seem to never have an easy match, since their promotion!
Another nail biter I expect. 😎
Hi Bob. Thanks for the intro. Very enjoyable. And even more nicer that you are fit and running.
@Dormo. Monday's match is sold out now. But there is two happy Boro fans in Finland, who will be there in the away end. A big thank you, again.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/april/15/sheffield-wednesday-away-sold-out/
Up the Boro!
EXMIL CHALLENGE 2025
wedermouth and Martin Bellamy, since you entries were posted before the Shef Utd error was spotted, let me know if you want to change your Shef Utd total please.
Come on BORO.
Looking at the overall picture regarding the club, there seems to be allot of clubs lower than us right now with ambitious owners, ready to finance a push up the league, new stadiums visualized, Will these clubs pass us by, Pushing us further away from what our fans want, even local non league teams are getting bigger support,
I'm in noway looking at Steve Gibson, he was a God send, , but the only way I see any promotion going forward is sensible recruitment, including coaches etc, no dreaming of Hollywood players, we need a combination of solid grit, athletism, with obvious talent,
We can't compete anymore for exceptional Worldwide talent, and if we become a yoyo club so be it, right now we're stagnant.
Diasborians
Thanks for the kind words of support unfortunately I’m still unwell and I must admit it was a struggle to post the preview.
Going into hospital Tuesday for the surgeons to have a look around and see if I do have a ❤️ !
Exmil very sorry I’ll try and do the challenge but apologies if I don’t !
Obviously no Boro games for me at present or even watching (no stress allowed!)
Hopefully back in the groove soon
OFB
@original-fat-bob. Sorry to hear that OFB. Thinking of you and sending best wishes for Tuesday. We are all rooting for you. 😎
Well done for getting us such a detailed starter despite your obvious health difficulties. I do hope you’ll soon be back firing on all cylinders and feeling much better. I’m very sorry you won’t be able to go to the game - how will Boro cope without you?
On paper, we should beat Plymouth. But like us they’re fighting for every point. I rather suspect their game plan will be to keep it tight and hope for a break, and we all know how much we struggle to break down sides that play a low block. Something tells me, too, that they may be able to work out how to handle Azaz and Whittaker ……..
OFB, Result not important as I've said before. Although we all want Boro to win. Just get well as soon as possible and then you've got the close season to get fully well and back on the grass.
Oops, forgot the close season can be even busier for the fans with all the comings and goings.
Take and look after yourself.
ATB,
John
thanks for the preview but most important thing is your health. I hope that all goes well with your exam and that you’ll soon be back firing on all cylinders.
UTB and OFB
Get well soon, OFB! All the best wishes and hope you will be OK after your visit to hospital. Up the Boro!
Best wishes Bob. You are all heart, as demonstrated by your comprehensive survey of both teams before Friday's match. Thanks for that and I hope all goes well over the next few days.
Good Luck, OFB. Some things are more important than football. I'm sure that everyone on this Blog, and those who might look in even if they do not post on here, will wish you the best.
I'm sure the medics will find that you DO have a heart. Maybe it just needs to be switched off and then on again. At least that is likely to be the advice the IT people would give.
Could we perhaps do the same to Boro’s season?
@original-fat-bob I hope everything goes well next Tuesday, are you going for an outpatient appointment or a booked stay, whatever it is I (and the rest of Diasboro) wish you the best of luck. If you remember I had an heart attack 10 years ago and I am still kicking about, so there is hope for everyone.
Come on BORO.
All the best, OFB. I've heard that supporting your football team is the most calming thing for your heart. Or was that yoga.
All the best, OFB. I've heard that supporting your football team is the most calming thing for your heart. Or was that yoga.
I suspect it depends on which team you support!
Same as everybody else in here, I hope there is a positive outcome to your upcoming visit to the James Cook. Never mind what Bill Shankley had to say, your good health is infinitely more important than a football match. So thank you for pulling together another great piece to get this Plymouth thread underway.
Must win. Can't lose. Who knows? I expect a response to the Millwall defeat, but I will be sorry that we will almost certainly be making Plymouth's fight for survival an impossible challenge. Can't have it both ways though given a draw will be of limited value to either team.
So, I dont really care what the score is so long as it is Boro, anything more than 0 and Plymouth anything less than Boro and OFB to be feeling better sooner rather than later.
CoB (that'll be Come on Bob)
Thanks for the support it’s a booked stay and not sure (neither are they !) what they will do it depends what they find.
Apparently I have LVSD and 40% heart failure with blocked arteries.
So even with a deep scan they’re not too sure what they will find.
its times like this that you appreciate the other members of our blog like a family !
Thank you all
OFB
@original-fat-bob They, those lovely medics, do love a good acronym, don't they. I remember a letter about what I had, they did and outcomes plus input from plastic surgeon too. I had too a pre-radiotherapy consultation and ask dto have it translated into plain English. Still don't understand though!
The best of luck and good wishes for Tuesday, my thoughts are with you, however you look at it it's frightening.
I hope Boro do you proud this weekend.
ATB,
UTB,
John
PS Will you get the Diasboro heliograph in James Cook?
@original-fat-bob if things go south on Friday you won't need a phone the vibes from ground will spread out like an EMP wave and engulf james cook.
PS hope everything goes well
@OFB. The most important thing to say is, take care and that everything goes well and is successful.
Just be good, relax, the staff will do the rest.
Secondly, thanks for the great Headliner, that will have taken a lot of effort given the circumstances.
No predictions, just another must win, and hope the real Boro turn up.
Interesting article from the BBC about the Championship
I support OFB. Not sure about his raw speed, how quickly he can turn these days and I'm not sure how much stamina he still possesses, but his commitment and HEART is still there. I'm hoping that will be more than enough to see him back on the field soon.
Come on OFB! You can do this....
And I don't want to jinx this, but I see Boro winning on Good Friday.
Watching High Performance podcast on Utube, with Les Ferdinand, talking about taking over as Sporting Director at QPR, players on big money, and what he found regarding attitude and less than proffestionism., lackadaisical culture,l wonder if Middlesbrough FC, as a similar problem. I hope not, but an interesting watch..
Interesting article from the BBC about the Championship
That’s such a prescient article. Be careful what you wish for, I guess.
Is it worth leaving the Championship for a brief stay in the EPL? You all know my views on that particular question.
@original-fat-bob Anytime, but I must stop using my phone, it turns things into nonsense in places. Unpredictable like a certain football team we know.
ATB, UTB,
John