Great post Si, I was particularly stunned to read the details of those avoidable 10 points dropped, which could essentially have Boro all but promoted. Plus interesting reflections on the midfield pairings that have powered previous teams - I'd agree the need of a shield has been less of a problem this term and it's probably been that lack of pace out wide. Maybe Bangura will be back tonight to give it on the left.
With expectations for the season lowered a touch, perhaps Boro will feel a little less pressure tonight.
Wednesday of course have absolutely nothing to play for and hopefully won’t completely park the bus.
Good to see a couple of attacking players returning from injury but more important is that Strelec had a bit of a breakthrough performance last time out and finally looked like a useful forward, with more aggression to his play as well as the goal.
With all that considered, I’m going for a stonking Boro 6-0 Sheff Wed, as we play out a personal battle with Man City to see who can win by the biggest margin on the night.
Strelec 2, Whittaker, Conway, Brittain and Castledine.
How’s that for an optimistic take? I did put Boro down to win all four games in the Exmil Challenge as well.
From CJ:
It's one change for Boro then, with Whittaker back in the starting XI tonight, as Hellberg hinted he might be at yesterday's press conference. He replaces Alex Gilbert, who drops out of the squad altogether. Leo Castledine returns the bench to replace him.
It means that Boro stick to the three-man defence, although at Ipswich, we saw Malanda move into the midfield, with Gilbert, and later Browne, then able to push on into the attack. Wouldn't at all be a surprise to see that again tonight, because it doesn't feel a night Boro need three centre-backs.
Good news about Castledine.
Boro takes the lead in the 11th minute: Whittaker. 🙂
Tractor Boys a goal down at Charlton. 
Whittaker booked on the half-hour!
Well we got the early goal we wanted but since then they have contrived to make hard work if it and we need a second; the Owls are no mugs, we have seen poorer sides at the Riverside who have taken all three points.
KH needs to emphasise at half time of the need to be more accurate and crisper with the passing; at the moment it resembles the away game where we also scored early but failed to get a second and it is basically a lack lustre performance so far.
No low block to contend with so no excuses for not getting three points. 😎
Always a lack of intensity.
We need goals, lots of them, but it doesn't look like the players think that....
The tempo has to be raised to lift the crowd and find some momentum to take into the next games
Some sloppy passing so far - Malanda frightens me when he’s on the ball.
Morris has been quiet in this half - hopefully he’ll be able to drive forward as the game goes on
I’d be tempted to put Sarmiento on for the second half.
Not the best first half performance but t least we are winning - I agree the passing hasn't been the best and more intensity needed too - plus that second goal just in case the ref (who has made several bad calls already) decides to give a late dodgy penalty!
I think Malander is showing the signs of playing nonstop a season and a half...a bit fatigued
Admittedly there’s no Hackney or McGree but so far it’s another game where Boro’s lack of attacking pace, power or creativity has been laid bare.
There’s just no attacking quality in this midfield or attack but thankfully they gifted us one.
I've been thinking the same thing about Malanda as the US season started last February and he then arrived on Teesside in December and started training before resuming playing in January - he must be also mentally tired and has now been given a new role to adjust to also.
It is so frustrating seeing boro standing waiting for the pedestrian pass. Where is the energy and running off the ball to pull them out of position to make the space.
No sense of urgency
No sense that they want this
Tractor Boys a goal down at Charlton.
Not going to happen: they equalised in the 36th minute & took the lead in the 58th (Philogene penalty, surprise, surprise)... 🙁
Sarmiento on for Whittaker on the hour.
Silvera & Sène on for Strelec & Conway in the 78th minute.
Phew.
A win's a win, I suppose, but I fully expected an Owls sucker punch, particularly in the seven minutes of injury time...
Well that's the play-offs secured barring a 15-goal swing in the last 2 games - but it was a terrible disjointed performance by Boro that will not worry our potential play-off rivals. Let's hope Hackney is fit soon as we need someone to break the lines and drive the team forward - plus neither Conway or Strelec offered much in attack and the less said about Sene the better!
That was a pretty turgid game. Boro seemed to be nervous, perhaps due to the expectation that they should win against a relegated side. Whittaker is an enigma. He has quality but he is so lightweight in general play.
Anyway, that's the play-offs and its looking like two games with Southampton. Now, against Watford, Hellberg can give a rest to Malanda, maybe Fry, Targett, Morris, Conway, maybe Strelec and see what the others can deliver.
UTB
OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED - 3 POINTS
But it was a painful game to watch with 2 poor teams. Boro gifted an early goal but failed to add to it. No “ cutting edge “ in the last third of the pitch.
Any pluses? Morris for his physical efforts and controlling much of the midfield but when will he learn to shoot ?
Also, Fry who wasn’t really tested but the defence always seems more solid when he plays.
So, in the last two games the coach can rest players including those with a few knocks. I’d like to see Castledine given plenty of minutes on the pitch as he proved at Huddersfield he has goals in him.
Feet up time. Stress back to normal- till the playoffs !!!
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔
We were shocking tonight and if I never see Sene in a Boro shirt again it will be too soon, I thought Whittaker was very good but not surprised to see him taken off on 60 minutes after being out injured for so long. Fry, Ayling and Morris put in a reasonable shift but Malanda is getting worse by the game, maybe as someone suggested he has played too much since arriving.
We go on to Saturday against Watford but we certainly need to improve to get anything out of the game.
Come on BORO.
It happens - a disappointing or bad display, scoreline or both following a genuinely good or even excellent display against a top side. You could put it down to a combination of tiredness from, and heavy emotional investment in, the Ipswich game.
Incidentally, this kind of echoes Rob Edwards' final two victories as Boro boss, with a 2-1 win over Ipswich being followed by a 1-0 win at Hillsborough with an early Morgan Whittaker goal. The difference being that back then, we looked a lot less tired, a lot more sprightly, and the 1-0 scoreline seemed to flatter the Owls.
Another difference appears to be that Kim Hellberg received neither the luck nor form that Edwards did. During what I'll call "The Ottilie Victory", as I was out reviewing a play about Ottilie Patterson during the entirety of the match, Edwards not only had Dael Fry and Hayden Hackney on the pitch for the whole ninety minutes but was also able to call upon the services of Alfie Jones, the inconsistent but useful Delano Burgzorg, and a Kaly Sène who had only very recently begun his Boro career with two goals in two games. REBoro even got the benefit of an Ipswich own goal right on the stroke of half time - how deflating can that be to a team talk? - and survived the concession of a soft penalty prior to that when Sol Brynn, in a highly rated performance, did what he couldn't do more recently and saved the spot kick.
Now, Burgzorg is long gone, Hackney and Jones are absent, Sène looks a shadow of the player we thought he could be, and nerves from playing at home have really kicked in. Which is why I do get a sense of pride from tonight's result - the pressure has amplified and the odds have been stacked against us but we still found a way. Three points. Job done. Better still, a goal for Morgan Whittaker on his return, and a place in the play-offs as good as sealed.
Improvement clearly needed, though...
Normal service resumed. 18 shots 4 on target.
I get Hellberg pushing Malander into midfield to allow Morris to try and take Hackney’s role, but it has failed miserably and Malander has been a bit of a liability.
But that game tonight was maybe the worst I have watched all season. Playoffs, OK, but we will get trounced if we play anywhere like that.
I despair every time I see the team sheet and see the bench, it is a joke, but not funny.
Whilst there a quite a few now who would welcome promotion, well unless Hellberg can get Hackney back and be match fit and wave his magic wand once more, then I really do not see there being much of a chance of Wembley.
I really wonder what Mr Gibson thinks of this falling off the cliff scenario.
Morning all,@simonfallaha A post post Si. One to say goodnight to.
It was a tough match to watch but at least we won. I think Wednesday played quite well and didn't fit deep. I was impressed by them - eventhough their attacking was awful.
I second to Pedro - an excellent post by Simon. Nothing to add to.
Not much expectations now. But we have to fight and try to win the last two matches before summer. OK, it could be five matches still to be played. Even Webley to visit. Or only two if Ipswich AND Millwall fail.
Up the Boro!
Where was Gilbert? We needed him in midfield. Up the Boro!