Thank you, Andy, for that wonderful opener. Balanced, informative and compelling. And thank you too, Len, for that insightful post on Coburn and Hackney.
Sadly I won't be able to watch the game tomorrow, but I will do my best to keep informed.
I agree. The Press Conference didn't fill me with confidence. I will be very nervous tomorrow at the match. I wish the team and the manager/coach well. I'd LOVE to think that tricky wiles are being employed. I'd love it even more to be surprised by Whittaker, a fully fit Hackney, McGree, Morris and Conway all starting tomorrow. But it WOULD be a massive surprise.
The thing is that I believe Boro would need to be 100% tomorrow against a confident Millwall team. If the team put onto the field is not the one anyone would choose after a two-week break, that would knock quite a few percentage points off MY confidence.
Well, here we are on Good Friday with a few hours to go until what may be the bigglest must win match of all biggly must win games!
Given how the league table looks, I don’t think it is unreasonable to say that it is a must win 6 pointer. Win and the difference between Boro and Millwall increases to 5 points, lose and Millwall then have a point advantage - and that is before Ipswich play. We need to keep up the pressure and let other teams drop points.
Having see the comments about the possible team selection, then I am slightly concerned but who knows, KH may be keeping his cards close to his chest. With regard to the incoming players perhaps not gelling, I would have hoped that KH will have been working on this during the break, knowing what was likely to be the case with the returning players. At least they haven’t come back injured.
i have got a few jobs to do before 1230 to keep my mind off the game although the nerves will be increasing as the clock ticks round!
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and here’s hoping for a good Good Friday so it’s a Boro 2 Millwall 1 prediction for me.
UTB
Finally a match day! I am really waiting for this match as we have played well recently (but results have not followed). We have had more shots than any other team in the division and had plenty of clear-cut chances in the last few games. Our luck must change finally!
I will go for a 3-1 win with Josh scoring in the 89th minute after coming off the bench. Ours - a brace for Strelec and another from Conway.
Happy Easter and up the Boro!
Two hours more to wait.... anxiety rising
Please, please...CoB you can do it.
The waiting is a killer isn’t it? I’m off to the market at Lydham Village Hall for a few things but mainly to take my mind off the game.
Good to know that I am not alone in feeling a bit tense and constantly looking at the clock to check when I need to switch on the TV and log in.
CoB please don’t do a typical! 😎
Morris, Browne, McGree, Conway & Strelec all start:
Mcgree, Morris having to start against all common sense, but out of absolute necessity. Hard to see them lasting 90 minutes, with the same true of Browne. Equally concerning, no Castledine to come on and give us a second half boost. Gilbert and McCabe look lightweight if we are hanging on or need further impetus. Oh for another experienced midfielder to calm us down and help do the dirty work. Anyone got Jonny Howson's phone number. He could be up here in 45 minutes
@lenmasterman Well that is a better lineup than we anticipated, but as you said, out of necessity.
What is most disappointing is Castledine missing again. Is he going to be another player always injured, especially after Hellberg bigging him up so much. No Hansen on the bench either, that must be the final nail in the coffin for him and another poke at the recruitment.
Millwall like to be going for it with all their attacking players starting.
Hopefully Dael will take care of Josh!
What is most disappointing is Castledine missing again. Is he going to be another player always injured, especially after Hellberg bigging him up so much. No Hansen on the bench either, that must be the final nail in the coffin for him and another poke at the recruitment.
Not sure I fully understand what KH was trying to say about LC in the comments posted by CJ:
No Leo Castledine
There was a hint from Kim Hellberg yesterday that he'd suffered a setback. My hope was that it was part of him being coy about his team and not wanting to say he's now ready to start after building up. Sadly, it wasn't and the January signing misses out. Here's what Hellberg said:
"He’s had ups and downs a little bit with that injury thing for him. So it goes back and forth a little bit with his possibility to train for the moment. But Leo is very good when he's on the pitch. We just need to get that sorted out so he can be on the pitch 100% all the time. Leo is a top player, top person, and every time I see him on the pitch, he’s brilliant. So he's pushing, he's pushing for everything. But of course, being away a long time from football is a problem. But 100% he’s going to be a good player."
Fry gives Boro the lead in the 26th minute. 🙂 Great header from a cross by Browne.
Well so far so good and a deserved lead. Millwall restricted to few opportunities mainly due to our mistakes.
Need another similar performance in the second half, no mistakes and another goal to ease the nerves. 😎
Boro finally looking like some kind of threat from set pieces against Millwall is VERY typical Boro.
Really enjoyable first half. Great intensity to our play and Millwall actually giving us some space in which to counter feels very 2025.
The goal - brilliantly buried by Fry from an excellent set-piece-second-phase Browne cross - is huge in ensuring we will continue to get attacking space so long as we’re ahead.
We must keep the tempo up, which will be a real challenge with what must be some tired legs following international duty, and get a second.
So far, so good. Another goal early in the second half might allow us fans to relax a little.
Great first half, can they keep it up.
Bugger! Millwall equaliser in the 58th minute by who else but Coburn! 🙁
Bangura on for Targett in the 78th minute after the latter picked up a knock.
Bugger! Millwall equaliser in the 58th minute by who else but Coburn! 🙁
Double bugger! A second for Coburn in the 86th minute! 🙁
Well Typical Boro remains alive and well!😖😎
The air is somewhat blue here - very unbecoming language eing used.
Awful mistake from Malander
@k-p-in-spain so it would seem. We should have been out of sight in first half. Inability to take chances is costing us badly ...
Well, that was more than disappointing. I am going for a walk now to calm down and reflect.
Sums up our home form this season and I just hope that we can come good on the playoffs.
@boro-beckys-dad. And do you believe this team can win them!
Millwall deserved the win because they took the few chances that came their way and battled through out the game; passing attractive football is all well and good but if it doesn’t produce the required aim then what use is it.
I fear another Championship season beckons. ☹️😎