CJ's thoughts on today's team, the final paragraph of which confirms Fry's absence:
Well, a broken clock is right twice a day - and I actually got a predicted team right for once!
Two changes for Boro as Browne and Sarmiento in for Whittaker and Strelec. That fluid 4-3-3 returns, with Browne in that really hybrid role that offers him freedom to get into different spaces, where opposition have found it hard to work out where he's playing. He's profited from that with a fair few goals, so can understand that decision to bring him back in.
As for Sarmiento, it feels like Boro need something a bit different. Whittaker has been struggling for form. Sarmiento was bright off the bench and it was notable that Hellberg noted how he was really up to speed now after a period of working closely to build him up having not played much in the first half of the season. It's his second Boro start, after struggling against Oxford. Hopefully his added sharpness and connections with team-mates are better today.
As for the bench, still no Dael Fry, so it's the same 20 players as Wednesday evening.
I hope someone makes the runs into the six-yard box if we get crosses in - at least Browne has shown intent to do that and as you've mentioned, Strelec hasn't shown enough to keep others out.
Not a great first 30 minutes with Boro guilty of poor deliveries and as yet no shots on target
Not much in that first half to suggest Boro are going to beat the low block with a combination misplaced touches around the box and sub-standard deliveries into it and of the few that made it then the final attempt at shooting was poor. Xg of 0.26 from 6 shots with just the final kick of the half making it on target but along the ground straight at the keeper.
Sarmiento has looked lively but other have looked too pedestrian going forward - especially Targett who appears to want to play at walking pace in the final third - I would like to see either Munroe or Castledine on in the second half - or even Hansen as more urgency is needed if Boro are to score.
Anyone got déjà vu? 😎
CJ certainly thinks so:
Usual Boro dominance, but unlike recent games, they're really struggling to create much today. Conway's early missed header (*) the only chance of note. Just feels a little off in that first half.
(*) Conway misses a glorious chance
Brittain and Hackney link well on the right with Hackney sent on the overlap. His cross is hung up lovely to the back post where Conway in unmarked from five yards. He heads over. Glorious chance. The type [they] can't afford to be missing in these type of games.
No changes at the start of the second half.
Both the other early kick-offs goalless at half-time.
I think this has been much poorer than the Charlton game. No chances to miss so far today.
Come on Boro.
Castledine & Strelec on for McGree & Sarmiento in the 60th minute. 30 minutes (plus) in which to get more that a mere point out of the game... 
Finally! Castledine with his maiden goal in the 65th minute, assisted by HH! 🙂
CJ:
Great ball from Strelec to send Hackney running in behind. He squares across the box for Castledine, who runs onto it and smashes in a great finish, in off the underside of the bar. Great subs from Hellberg.
CJ in the 72nd minute:
Hackney went down after the goal, came back on, but has gone back down again. Boro are going to have to take him off. Gilbert coming on. Hopefully nothing serious!
🙁
Saints a goal up at Coventry...
Seven minutes of injury time. Edmundson on for Conway (who was booked in the 88th minute) in the 90th minute.
Boro yellows 1 Robins 5 (FIVE).
BUGGER! The Robins equalise in the 96th minute. 🙁
CJ:
Boro have chucked it. That's a killer. From the corner, GK Vitek is up and attracting attention, but no one picks up Randell, who runs in from the edge unmarked and heads home.
Misses by Conway & Strelec costly.
Unbelievable. I’m lost for words.
Another missed opportunity as Bristol score with their only shot on target in the 96th minute after giving away a needless corner. In fact replays show that too many Boro players were ball watching and allowed their man a free header. Strelec and Browne missed sitters to make the game safe and in truth there were a several decent chances missed in game where Boro should have seen it out. Hopefully Hackney's calf injury is not serious but it's another blow to automatic promotion chances.
How to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory. How on earth did Edmundson concede a corner like that? and then no one at all picking the scorer up. Really amateurish and don’t get me started on Strelec’s miss. Play offs beckon
At least we got a point more than Coventry did. So we are closing them down.😉
Still enough matches to get through. I don’t believe Millwall to keep the pace with us or Ipswich.
Up the Boro!
I suppose we should be grateful that our next game is away and that Ipswich are playing Millwall that weekend so they both can't win - plus Boro's next home game is against Millwall!
Blackburn dominating possession at Millwall but Millwall take the lead and leap frog Boro. 🙁😎
Millwall have man sent off and Blackburn fight back and score 2 goals to lead with 2 mins left! 😊😎
Back up to second two points a head of Ipswich who have game in hand! 😎
Well that was a lucky escape with Millwall losing to 2 late goals - didn't think Sheff Wed would take points off Ipswich but it was closer than expected - oh for those 9 points dropped in our last 4 home games 🙄
Another massive missed opportunity today and any team with serious top two ambitions should be winning home games against Oxford, Leicester, Charlton and Bristol City. Had we won just two of those we would now have a decent cushion against the chasers. Very fortunately the results of Millwall, Coventry and Hull went in our favour and we are still in 2nd position but we will need to improve performances if we are going to stay there. Hopefully recent home form has been a blip and we can now both retain our away form and recapture our home form between now and the end of the season. The only table that really matters is the one on 2nd May at 15:00.
@werdermouth. Totally agree. We do seem to be very good at shooting ourselves in the foot.
My concern a few weeks back was that we would come unstuck against our three nemesis teams, BBC, Bristol, Blackburn and Coventry and that is how it is playing out unfortunately; I don’t think we will win at Blackburn next week when we need to. 😎
DO I WATCH IT ?
I was unable to watch the game live and so I recorded it. Returning home I checked the score, 1-1, So more dropped points and now 4 games without a home win. I’ve read the Boro report and , as I and others predicted Bristol put 11 behind the ball and scored from a corner.
There is no getting away from the fact that Boro lack a natural goal scorer. The obvious question is, will this defect cost them ?
I’m convinced it will stop them finishing second. I also fear that Boro may end up limping into the playoffs and losing to a team with a bit of momentum and a GOALSCORER.
So, I have to decide do I suffer more frustration by watching the game. The way I’m feeling is I think I should delete it and perhaps watch Match of the Day .
The joys of being a Boro supporter !!
Philip of Huddersfield 👎👎👎☹️☹️☹️
EXMIL CHALLENGE 2026 - Part 2
The teams and fixtures for part 2 are on the dedicated social club section, the deadline for entries is Monday 16th Mar at 1900 hrs please. Good luck to everyone, especially the Boro.
Come on BORO.
quite true. I watched the game - 11.30;pm kickoff here in Oz - went to bed totally depressed at Strelec’s miss and the late equaliser.
Now it’s Sunday morning. I have just finished watching the rugby and checked the football results and can’t believe how we have more or less escaped from disaster.
So, on we go.
UTB
It beggars belief when you look at the last number of games, especially those at home and the points absolutely thrown away.
It is so frustrating and sickening for the Boro fans. Probably the same for the likes of Hackney, Brynn, Fry watching on and maybe a few others like Ayling, but for some it is just a pay day.
However, after his miss, Strelec continued to be almost anonymous. Then on the byline he made a short pass straight to a City player and just stood there, looking uninterested. To me he has been a complete waste of money, most we will have to write off along with Hansen and Sene and a few others.
Whilst I did not expect we would do anything of note this season, I was wrong. However we had a golden opportunity that does not come along very often and we have blown it. OK still second but there is very little chance of maintaining that on this form.
I guess we will make the playoffs, but does anyone on this blog honestly believe we can win promotion through them against sides that will have more momentum and be in far better form.
Lets hope I am wrong andKH finds a magic wand somewhere.