Two changes:  Fry & Strelec in the starting XI for HH & Sarmiento -

P.S.  Whittaker's apparently injured!

Looks like the 3-4-1-2 that KH successfully deployed at Birmingham not too long ago.

I’m home alone for this one, although strictly speaking I’m at our static van in South Shropshire (second home?) and Ralf is around, although he’s sulking because his Mum has gone off to Brierley Hill to meet up with granddaughters at Build-a-Bear. 

Fortunately I’ve managed to get a refurbished mobile router working so I’ll be able to watch via Skysports on the tv.

A win is a must today and as a bonus it would be ideal if Ipswich and Millwall play out a draw. How much we’ll miss HH is a big question - we should be good enough without him but we all know about Blackburn’s bogey club reputation. 

For what it's worth, the Ipswich vs Millwall match is being shown live on ITV1... 

Let’s hope Boro don’t let the 7000 down 

Probably a change in shape dictated by not having Hackney so Boro may look to play some longer balls for the front two to run onto.

Boro making chances, but nor clear cut. Passing through the lines needs to improve though, especially Morris

Ayling, who might well have scored in the fifth minute, is booked in the 24th! 

If only the kit man had packed Boro's shooting boots for the trip to Blackburn then they would've been out of sight by half-time  - too many decent chances squandered in a game Boro should be leading. As it it, Boro currently down to third with Ipswich leading against Millwall. We just need to put the ball in the net as it is a dominant display!

CJ on a Strelec effort in the dying seconds of the first half:

Superb save to deny Strelec

Boro's best move of the half. Conway gets away down the left, beats his man to the byline and fires across the box. It reaches Strelec, who wraps his boot around it to fire goalwards, but he didn't get it enough away from Toth, who reacts well to save it brilliantly.

@stircrazy    I just could not understand the Ayling booking, it was Cashin who made the foul. Then later in the game Casin once more makes two fouls on Browne, the second gets a free kick but no booking. Rubbish inconsistent refereeing.

A top performance so far in a lot of ways and yet I’m furious with frustration!

A complete lack of ruthlessness and composure in front goal is killing us again.

If it continues and we get nothing from the game then we deserve nothing - you have to put those chances away.

Come on lads.

More of the same, so far, in this game. It is a good thing Boro doesn't give the Opponents this much possession and this many opportunities . They'd score!

@werdermouth    Yes, once more most of the possession, most of the chances, how many has Browne had, not all clear cut I accept, but enough to be two up at least.

The passing has not been good enough either. I also just cannot understand Morris, a good player, but he just cannot hit the target, he’s a professional footballer after all. 

Blackburn will get one or two chances in the second half, and to be honest I cannot see Boro scoring two if they do score.

Not win this and it could be beginning of the end sadly.