I wouldn't be surprised if Hellberg makes some changes today as he's kind of hinted at it in the media. No doubt a few players are carrying a few knocks and with a game next Tuesday too then the Oxford game may be deemed the one to rotate.
It perhaps helps that Oxford are unlikely to be too adventurous and be a goal threat and the emphasis may be on a more attacking threat out wide. As to whether Strelec starts is uncertain as he just doesn't look sharp enough and the kind of forward that will be effective against a low block - the same applies to Sene.
This could be a game for Sarmiento or indeed Hansen - both of whom are tricky action players with possibly a role for Cruz Ibeh somewhere in the mix.
However, the most important thing is Boro need three points today as it would be a slip to drop any - so maybe a bit more experience on the bench should it be required to lift the performance.
@mw-in-darwin. I am of the same mindset and this could be a big test for KH as he has faced very few teams who have adopted this tactic against us.
It will be interesting to see how he and the team cope; fingers crossed we perform better than under MC and RE did in such situations, it could be a long 90+ mins! 😎
@gt TODAYS TEAM
HI GT,
I can’t see the coach ditching 3 of his back 4 for today’s game . It would represent too much of a major change. Assuming he’s definitely fit ( he hasn’t played 90 minutes for ages) I’d include Frey to give Ayling a rest. And based on Kim’s comment that Conway is his first or second name on the team sheet then I’d expect him to start.
The problem is Boro don’t have players who can come on and change the game let alone start a game . The exception could be Sermiento who in the last game showed glimpses of hope.
Strelic has yet to show the expected ability we were led to believe he had and so I’d only bring him on as a sub - he has yet to earn a start. I still think that the Championship seems too fast and physical for him.
I believe the players who have played most games this season will continue to do so in the remaining games.
Today’s game, based on current form, league positions and other criteria should indicate a banker home win. Let’s hope that’s the case and then other results don’t matter. I notice Ipswich have a tricky game away to Wrexham but I think they will overcome the challenge.
philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔👍
Any win, even 1-0, will do, MW.
But a nice early goal and then the opening of the floodgates to help out the goal difference would be MUCH more comfortable.
I hope OFB's eyes are improved today. I have had the "plastic eye patches" after having had laser treatment on the eyes, but that was about 22 years ago. Within a few days everything was back to normal except that my vision much more clear than previously. My big mistake was in failing to have that laser treatment (to correct astigmatism and short-sight) a couple of decades earlier. It would have saved money on spectacles and contact lenses. Mrs Dormo has had cataract surgery on both eyes and can now read a newspaper at 880 yards. Drops afterwards to keep the eyes moist, but quickly fully recovered.
I think eye surgery is so quick and so "almost 100% effective" these days that it must be amongst the most cost effective and beneficial types of surgery offered.
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25873281.tommy-conway-leo-castledine-sammy-silvera-middlesbrough-injury-news /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">One 'setback' and one major boost in Middlesbrough injury update ahead of Oxford
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25873368.middlesbroughs-seny-dieng-joins-sheffield-wednesday-emergency-loan /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seny Dieng Middlesbrough to Sheffield Wednesday move explained & games he'll play in
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25870593.blackburn-vs-middlesbrough-selected-live-tv-coverage /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Another Middlesbrough game moved for TV - and next pick feels inevitable
At the 30-minute mark in some of the early kick-offs, Hull us a goal down at home to QPR courtesy of an OG from a certain Paddy McNair ( 🙂 ) & the Swans are a goal up at home to the Robins, but Coventry's two goals up at The Hawthorns. 🙁
Three changes to the starting XI:
-
Andy has his 4-2-2-2 - CJ:
Three changes from Kim Hellberg then. As he explained in yesterday's press conference, they aren't simply just a response to defeat at Coventry though. You suspect that Fry for Ayling is influenced by the expectation that Oxford will aim to hit Boro with counters and win set-pieces to then utilise their height.
It's harsh on all three players dropping to the bench, but you suspect McGree's minutes are being managed, with Leicester to come in midweek. Sarmiento did well from the bench the other night, so deserves that reward.
Finally, Strelec for Browne is probably influenced by the expectations of Oxford's style. They're expecting Oxford to be low-block, so no need for three midfielders. Get the extra striker on for what appears to be a return to 4-2-2-2.
It's interesting he makes the changes after the defeat. The players have served him so well in recent weeks, so it feels harsh. But equally, he has a big squad, he preaches wanting everyone to push one another and feel ready. So if he doesn't then make changes and offer rewards for positive impacts like Sarmiento's the other night, it becomes hard to keep the spirits of those not playing up and standards can start to slip.
WBA. V COVENTRY
Coventry 2-0 at half time and so far in the second half it’s been a stroll for them. Coventry look good and in control whilst WBA , at best, look average. Just had their first shot with 10 minutes left.
So Coventry 4 points ahead of Boro which makes a win v Oxford all the more essential.
philip of Huddersfield 🤔🤔
Coventry showing how to do it against a team toward the bottom of the table; Boro now need to do the same. 😎
That looks an intelligent team selection. Very happy with that.
All we need now is an early goal please....
@original-fat-bob i hope your one eye is presentedcwith a visual feast of good football andcgoals today. Hoping your recovery is on track.
A Blues Brother arrives at the Riverside, hope your Good Lady is wearing sunglasses too.
Good to hear from you.
ATB
UTB,
John
Well we know this could be a banana skin and Oxford strike first against the bar with Brynn well beaten. Some of the passing from Boro has been abysmal.
Strelec not showing and Sarmiento has to do more. As I write this, Oxford make another three on two break, they are going to score from one of these if we do not improve.
Morris booked in the 39th minute - CJ:
First yellow of the afternoon. Stopped a counter on the halfway line. No real complaints with that, but Oliver Langford starting to frustrate some Boro fans with the perceived one-sided nature of his decisions.
Well we knew it would be tough but Boro are not covering themselves in glory and Oxford are unlucky not to be ahead.
Build up play has been ponderous, passing has been poor and we are failing to open them up.
McGree and Browne need to be on for Strelec and Whittaker, both of whom have had limited impact. 😎
It's just not happening for Boro - too slow and predictable in the build-up, which just allows Oxford to move closer to their goal in formation. Also passing accuracy has been off too and Boro must either get behind them in wide areas or play the ball forward much quicker as it's neither one thing or the other at the moments. I think an injection of urgency needed from the bench and don't think Strelec is putting much into the press to make it create any errors.
Worse still is that Oxford have looked the most likely to score and then that would make it almost impossible to win the game if they did.
McGree and Browne need to be on for Strelec and Whittaker, both of whom have had limited impact. 😎
CJ certainly agrees with you about McGree, KP:
Feels like he's missing today. Understand why Hellberg did it. Managing minutes/rewarding Sarmiento. But you can just see he's not quite in tune with everyone else yet. Against a defence like this, you need it to be slicker. You need that connection.
McGree and Browne need to be on for Strelec and Whittaker, both of whom have had limited impact. 😎
CJ certainly agrees with you about McGree, KP:
Feels like he's missing today. Understand why Hellberg did it. Managing minutes/rewarding Sarmiento. But you can just see he's not quite in tune with everyone else yet. Against a defence like this, you need it to be slicker. You need that connection.
But no changes at the start of the second half...
Well this a big test for KH and his team changes not working. It is proving correct unfortunately as many on here have said, the bench don’t have a lot to offer.
Sarmiento has yet to beat a man, we are slow out from the back and missing Ayling. Also Hackney not operating further forward is not helping.
SC, I have the Oxford commentators on my stream, and they are complaining about the decisions going against them.
SC, I have the Oxford commentators on my stream, and they are complaining about the decisions going against them.
So he must be getting something right! 😉
McGree on for Sarmiento in the 59th minute.
The Oxford manager had made FOUR subs by the 57th minute!
McGree on for Sarmiento in the 59th minute.
The Oxford manager had made FOUR subs by the 57th minute!
Gilbert & Sène on for Morris & Strelec in the 75th minute. Targett booked at the same time.
Gilbert booked in the 86th minute. Six minutes of injury time for Boro to make the breakthrough... -
But the breakthrough doesn't come: 0-0. 🙁 At least Ipswich, Derby & Millwall all lost...
Well if you can’t win then don’t lose but this was a missed opportunity to really improve our lead over Ipswich which we have let slip.
Unfortunately this was a performance we have seen before, with us being unable to break down a well organised team and KH and the team didn’t have any answers.
Need a much better performance on Tuesday. 😎
So Boro extend the gap to third with a deserved point against one of the teams who are favourites to get out of the Championship - I'll just leave it at that...
TODAY’S RESULTS
The weekend belongs to Coventry who will now feel back on track with a comfortable 3 point advantage plus goal difference over Boro.
Meanwhile Boro failed to beat a team second bottom of the League - indeed they could have lost as Oxford hit the woodwork twice. I feel Oxfords’s tactics will be mirrored by other teams.
The main bit of good news was Ipswich losing an 8 goal thriller at Ipswich. That should be good to watch as a neutral.
So, we move on and hope Boro can get a win v Leicester complete with a new coach.
Philip of Huddersfield 👎☹️👎
Well I am going to try and be positive. In the context of the table, a point further ahead of Millwall and Ipswich. Another point on the board against a team who clearly park the bus against top of the table Championship teams. Let’s just hope we don’t need a point or three in our last game of the season away at Wrexham to secure promotion. Today was disappointing but not disastrous. At the end of the day we are simply aiming for promotion and are 1 point further ahead in this aim. UTB
We get a big amount of luck with the results that matter going our way. However Hellberg and his team choice to start for today let the fans down with an underwhelming display, especially in the first half.
Yes, credit Oxford for their tactics and endeavour and given a slice of luck could have had a couple of goals, something we never looked like doing all the game trying to walk the ball into the net.
I thought Sarmiento was a wide man with pace who could beat his man. Did he actually take anyone on this afternoon. Strelec once more added that extra doubt that he is going to make it in the Championship.
In the end as werder said, we are a point further from Ipswich, but they do have those games in hand and play the Boro at home.
We needed to make today count as we cannot afford to end up in the Lottery Play Offs.