@peter-surtees. I have decided tomorrow that I will watch the match with my glass three quarters full! That should do the trick. 😉😎
Belated thanks Powmill for the interesting and very well written opener. A great read which I really enjoyed
Mixed news on the injury front - Hackney's appears to be taking longer to heal than thought and has no return date - though cynics among us may perhaps think this could be misinformation designed to confuse Ipswich and worth a bet that he will return for that game.
On the positive news, Bangura will likely only miss Portsmouth as it's not as serious as thought and Morgan Whittaker could play some part tomorrow - as could Silvera and Targett.
As for the interesting mini discussion on faith vs realism - I'm quite optimistic that Boro could win every game before it kicks off but my line of work leans towards logic, analysis and the available information if I'm going to make a conclusion. However, I've seen nothing from the other automatic promotion contenders to think Boro don't still have a good chance of finishing second - indeed they should have easily done so.
I'd even fancy Boro in the play-offs as in many ways Boro have just not had the rub of the green in recent games - It's not like Boro aren't creating chances to score - they're just fluffing their lines and the difference is probably confidence. A big result tomorrow and Boro go to Ipswich with everything to play for knowing their next two fixtures (Sheff Wed and Watford) at home are not the hardest one you could hope for.
Still, they just have to take their chances early on as Boro looked like blowing away both Millwall and Swansea but when it didn't happen the opposition grew into the game and Boro made mistakes and dropped points.
Perhaps the real problem is Boro just don't have a reliable goal scorer who will put away those chances and a bit of pace to worry those low-block merchants - which could well be the downfall of a campaign that has had almost all the ingredients to finish comfortably in the top 2!
WANTED:
Several sets of Foam Hands. Please deliver to all Forum members before 3pm tomorrow.
Millwall temporarily (I hope!) back in second place in the table after drawing 0-0 away to WBA.
@werdermouth However, I've seen nothing from the other automatic promotion contenders to think Boro don't still have a good chance of finishing second - I really think that ship has sailed…….indeed they should have easily done so…..absolutely, even losing one or two games and still be second.
Perhaps the real problem is Boro just don't have a reliable goal scorer who will put away those chances and a bit of pace to worry those low-block merchants.
Whilst I agree, a MORE reliable goal scorer would have been welcome in January, I still believe that until a month ago we had scored sufficient goals over the season and were second with relatively easy games to come and win, if you really want promotion.
Unfortunately we have been a little unlucky with injuries, however for me Hellberg has failed to change his system a little, to create more attacking space and from the multiple chances to shoot within that space, find the target.
Many thanks for the headline opener and I loved them strapline !
it reminds me of the good old days when we played Derby County away ?
” We will fight them on the beaches “ !
Thanks again appreciated
OFB
What I do know about naval history is beware of when it’s your turn to,go in the barrel!
🥹
OFB
Not many good omens here:
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Middlesbrough have won just one of their last nine league games against Portsmouth (D5 L3), a 3-1 away win in March 2012.
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Middlesbrough are winless in their last five Championship games (D3 L2), their longest run of the season. Since the date of that first winless game, they’ve had 48 more shots than any other side (126) and 122 more touches in the opposition’s box than anyone else (272). Despite this, they’ve only scored four goals and have the worst shot conversion (3.2%), underperforming their xG by 8.9 (4 goals, 12.9 xG).
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Portsmouth have gone eight Championship matches without winning (D3 L5), their worst winless run since failing to win their first nine games of 2024-25.
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Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has created the most chances both overall (83) and in open play (62) in the Championship this season. He’s also completed 848 passes in the final third, the fourth-most by a player in a Championship season (excl. play-offs) on record since 2013-14.
One positive, we haven't lost a home game on a Saturday this season and only two of our defeats have been on a Saturday, at Bristol City and Watford.
It's hard for Hellberg as Boro lack physicality up top and not really any killer pace either - imagine this side with Latte Lath and Ben Doak in it and then he'd have that bit extra that was needed in tight games - I'd play Hansen for that reason.
Having said that, even top PL sides have struggled against low blocks so it's a problem not easily solved - though opposition sides know Boro appear to lack the tools to counter it.
The other issue is that Boro's set plays don't often trouble the opposition and on that one Hellberg has been reluctant to invest much time in adding that string to his team's bow - he almost sees it as beneath him but teams like Arsenal have opted to really focus on the opportunity set plays offer.
Most Boro free kicks are simply short passes to continue play again - though that lack of physicality in the side may decide it's not necessarily a good option.
Still, there's enough in the side to win the next 4 games for me so I'm not ruling out 2nd place at the moment as beat Portsmouth and then go to Ipswich for a game they will be desperate not to lose and under pressure - the picture could easily change and note that Millwall have slipped again and should've been well beaten by Boro in that first half.
@mw-in-darwin. “a 3-1 away win in March 2012.”
I remember it well. My son had bought me tickets as a birthday present and my wife and I attended; at that time my son was a Steward at the ground.
After an enjoyable lunch we enjoyed a good match and Boro win under Tony Mobray and made full use of the bragging rites for a change!
A day later we left the UK to commence a new chapter of our lives in Spain. 😎
First of all thanks to everyone for the kind comments and apologies for not acknowledging those any sooner. Martin's classic for the Swansea game was a tough act to follow so I just kept it simple.
I have just had what I do believe is called a "full on" week and I have struggled to fit in reading the posts in here, let alone posting anything myself. But it is Saturday morning now and, at least for the moment, the time is mine.
Millwall slip up again last night and interestingly one of their supporters posted on the BBC cooments for last night's game that young Josh missed another sitter and that was typical for him this season, "... scores the hard goals and misses the tap ins". Be careful what you wish for is a phrase that springs to mind.
Tough, tough game for the Tractor Boys at lunch time today as well. I really think it is still all up for grabs and we have as good a- possibly better - chance as any of the protagonists. Of course, much will hinge on us being able to bring our winless streak to a convincing close today.
It sounds as if Whittaker will be fit to play. Although he is a little lightweight and for me he is often easily brushed off the ball, I do think he will offer more than Strelec has over the last couple of outings. It would be good to see him and Conway given license to switch around in play, to keep the Pompey defence unsettled. I rather hope Munroe will start. If KH doesn't feel he is fully match fit, he has Taggert to bring back for later in the game.
It has to be Morris, Brown and McGee, with Hansen starting as well, though if Silvera is deemed fit, KH may go with him.
It is a big day for us, so CoB, it is time to turn the tide and to make plain sailing of scoring goals again.
@mw-in-darwin never forgetting that "Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance".
...
I’m still feeling a bit sorry for Hellberg and completely disagree with the idea that he is the problem and needs to change his approach.
KH’s setup has us dominating game after game. That cannot be the wrong setup in my view. The problems are execution and the deficiencies within squad he’s managing.
...
Sorry this is so late a response to your post from near the start of this thread. What came to my mind when I read it was that by and large I agree with you, but...
I didn't have the bandwidth to post till now, so here is my but ( no, not the American one ! )
We very rarely try to get behind the defence in wide positions to come in or play the ball in from behind. The instinct is always to come inside, as which others have commented, simply contributes to the congestion. I firmly believe that both a ball played in from behind the defence and a player coming in behind the defence are two of the most difficult things to defend against, or put the other way, create the most dangerous attacking situations.
It is the coaches job to get the players to do that. This is where I think there is some responsibility on KH to try to make something happen differently, rather than always the same instinct to come inside.
@powmillnaemore. All Boro supporters will be hoping that proves correct to day. 🤞and everything else crossed.😎
Another nervy afternoon beckons, starting at 1230 as Ipswich play and we all become Norwich supporters despite that Wembley play off final for 90 minutes! As I’ve said before “Let’s be having you”! 😀
I have no idea what team KH will select, all we can rely on is that perhaps he may have changed the set up slightly to try and beat the low block (or as I prefer park the bus) approach that opposition teams can see works against Boro.
I would almost prefer the old fashioned approach of a long ball into their half and they just go for shots on goal! This tippy tappy and cutting inside in the box isn’t really working and maybe with a shot from outside the box, something might just hit the back of the net! Mind you, what do I know!?
We really do need a couple of early goals to settle the nerves and also keep the crowd on side as the longer the game goes without that, then I suspect the atmosphere will change putting more pressure on.
The chants should be “attack attack attack” and “shoooot!”
My hope is for a 2 0 victory with Ipswich and Hull City losing!
Not a good start with Ipswich 1-0 up at Norwich from a penalty. ☹️😎
0-2 at half time. Norwich dominating posession, but....Not a good start with Ipswich 1-0 up at Norwich from a penalty. ☹️😎
@martin-bellamy so no Whittaker afterall, not even on the bench. Ayling drops to the bench and sticking with Sarmiento. Here is hoping ....🤞
I really did not think we would have any of the injured back, so I guess silvers is a bonus. Given his early season performances he could be a better option than the others, if we need to change players over.
Well with their early win this afternoon, Ipswich are now in the driving seat for second place as the games run out.
Portsmouth have it all to play for, to enable them to create a gap from Leicester one point below, but with a better goal difference.
I am pleased to see PNM advocating for a slightly different approach from Hellberg, although it requires Brittain and Sarmiento to do more getting in behind and producing better balls for those in the six yard box.
Lets see if Boro are up for it.
More or less one way traffic, but once more over playing and not getting to the byline. Has Brittain actually attacked down his side yet. Sarmiento seeing plenty of the ball on the left, but coming inside most of the time.
This is so frustrating watching this, continuing trying to pass the ball into the net. This is poor from Boro and Portsmouth will get a chance to score.
Well nothing new so far. A familiar Boro performance lacking intensity, quality and shots on target.
Unless there is a major change in the second half this game could go the way of the Charlton game; Pompey looking comfortable and just waiting for a Boro mistake. ☹️😎
CJ's assessment of the half:
Tough first half to watch that. Ponderous and uninspiring. Boro haven't looked like scoring. Usual control of possession, but absolutely nothing in attack. Hellberg surely needs to change something here.
A complete lack of intensity from Boro that had my heavy eyelids succumbing to micro-sleep towards the end of the half. Just the one shot on target and eternal optimism of expecting Morris to score from 30 yards rather than the usual high and wide sliced shot we've come to expect.
As for the cunning plan of playing Conway on the right instead of the left - well it's not led to much other than a wasted free kick by Targett - Sarmiento not convincing for me or Strelec but what will we see instead - possibly Hansen and Silvera trying to get in behind and Conway is at least effective as the furthest man forward to press their keeper into a mistake.
All seems a bit disjointed and pedestrian against a limited side that has yet to have shot - much improvement needed!