@forever-dormo It is not looking too good on the player returns, with Hackney the biggest loss and probably the biggest doubt out of the possibles to return.
So no Jones this season, the enigma McGree, only a may be for the plays offs, and Castledine, the will he or won’t he make an appearance.
Second place is not really a realistic probability anymore if you consider goal difference means unless Boro win quite big in their last two fixtures then Millwall, Ipswich and Southampton only need to win one game between them from the remaining six left.
Possible automatic scenario for Boro...
Boro WW
Millwall D or L
Ipswich DDL or LDD or DLD*
Southampton DL or WL*
*The problem with this scenario is that even if Southampton beat Ipswich by a single goal and then lose their final game by a single goal then Boro will need a minimum of a 4-goal swing - OK, not too difficult maybe (2-0, 2-0). i.e. currently 3-goal advantage but having scored more goals, Boro need a 4-goal advantage.
Ipswich can't win any of their last 3 games unless they lose the other two - but even a one-goal win would need up to an 9-goal swing for Boro to finish above them on goal difference. i.e. advantage currently 9, one win makes it 10 with two defeats making 8 (1-0, 0-1, 0-1) but they've scored more goals so Boro could need an 9-goal swing.
I lost count on the score.it makes 6-2 with the scorers I listed earlier. 😁
Up the Boro!
Given my scenarios above then maybe a 6-0 win would be better to close down Ipswich’s goal difference 🙂
The thoughts of Chairman CJ on the starting XI:
Four changes for Boro then. Fair to say that's even more than we were expecting. Bangura, Gilbert, Hansen and Sarmiento come in for Fry, Targett, Browne and Conway.
Looks like a 4-2-3-1. Gilbert will partner Morris in midfield. One of Sarmiento or Hansen will play as the ten, you'd assume.
The four who are out all make make the bench, so no new injury concerns, just resting players. Castledine also back in the squad, as expected.
Marc Bola's in the Watford starting line-up...
I hope I am wrong but that midfield looks lightweight to me and AB is not good defensively. 🤔😎
Well one assumes Hellberg is resting players for the playoffs, with this weakened team, after stating he wanted to win the last two.
Also after my pre- match preview showing Watford line up 4 - 2 - 2, they now for a first in quite a while with three at the back. 🫤
No complaints about this selection. It has a fresh look to it and includes a number who are playing for their futures. Browne, Conway and Targett all looked in need of a break on Wednesday, whilst Fry also needs to be kept in cotton wool til the play-offs.
Of course, this may turn out to be a disappointing dead rubber (0-0 anyone?), but on Wednesday's evidence this selection appears to be as sensible as any.
Looks like a selection with the play-off's in mind as a few are rested - may also deem it necessary to get Gilbert more pitch time if Hackney is struggling to return - though a lot more pace in the team.
Having said that, Pedro's opener showed around 8 of Watford's starters were 6 foot and over so will Hansen, Sarmiento, Morris and Gilbert be out-muscled?
Still looks like a team that may be going for goals...
Great start, great goal! CoB 😎
Whittaker puts the first one away in the sixth minute (from a Hansen free kick?). 🙂
Since the goal we have not threatened their keeper and we have been ill disciplined when defending. It looks likely they will equalise if this continues.
Against the run of play, Boro makes it 2-0: Strelec in the first minute of first-half injury time.
WBA-Ipswich 0-0 at half-time.
2-0 at half time. The defence looks very shaky. Bola with loads of space on the left. Late goal from Strelec should calm some nerves.
Whittaker’s free kick early on was magnificent.
Well a second goal just on half time makes it a bit more comfortable but we have ridden our luck and look too loose in midfield and defence; need to be more organised and disciplined in the second half. 😎
There’s been a general feeling recently that “it’s all well and good dominating play and having loads of possession but you have to win games”.
Presumably everyone’s happy after that half then?!
Not the most convincing 45mins but a terrific free-kick and a two goal lead.
Great start, great ending but not much in between in that first half. Whittaker hit a superb free kick and his control on the second was top notch - but Watford had looked the better side in between those goals and to be honest Boro's midfield was non-existent as they left huge spaces for them to play in.
Perhaps too many changes given there will have been only a day of training after Wednesday - though both Sarmiento and Hansen have been easily dispossessed when receiving it and Strelec has looked too slow to lead the line. At least Whittaker is looking sharp and Ayling has been composed but the rest have looked disjointed.
2-0 at half time. Still four to come?
At least we have takes the chances and the ball is dropping for us for a change.
Up the Boro!
Against the run of play, Boro makes it 2-0: Strelec in the first minute of first-half injury time.
According to the Beeb's live text commentary, Whittaker had a hand in that goal.
The Hornets pull one back in the 48th minute. 🙁 Thank God for the Strelec goal!
CJ on the MW goal:
[...] good move from Boro. Whittaker played it inside to Morris, who slid further on for Gilbert. He spotted the dart into the box from Whittaker and picked him out with a great pass. Whittaker goes across goal and Strelec slides in at the front post and manages to turn it in.
And his verdict on the second half - agrees with KP:
Boro took the lead early through that sublime Whittaker FK and take a two-goal lead into the interval after Strelec's goal just before the whistle. But it's fair to say in between that, Watford looked most likely to score the second goal. They've had far the better chances. Good lead for Boro, but sloppy at times.
P.S. Targett on for Bangura at the start of the second half.
Whittaker puts the first one away in the sixth minute... 🙂
Whittaker bags a second in the 58th minute with a little help from Hansen.
Conway, Fry & Castledine on for Whittaker, Malanda & Hansen in the 63rd/64th minutes.
Subs apparently starting to make a difference - CJ:
Castledine chance
Subs combine as Conway tees up Castledine. He has a pop from just outside the box. He makes it dip and bounce just in front of the keeper, making it an awkward one. Selvik manages to save it though.
Boro have now equaled Southampton's goal difference!
4-1 - Conway gets in on the act with a penalty after the Watford goal-scorer handled. 🙂
Sarmiento off injured in 82nd minute ( 🙁 ), replaced by Silvera.
Boro have now equaled Southampton's goal difference!
And now overtaken it, courtesy of a goal from TC (assisted by Strelec) in the second of six minutes of injury time! 😉
So it finishes 5-1, quite close to Jarkko's original prediction! 😉
WBA- Ipswich finished goalless. Boro temporarily up to fourth.
Well that was just what was needed with a big win in the last home game - plus Ipswich only draw so there's still hope as Boro's goal difference is now better than Southampton's.
Much better second-half display with Whittaker unlucky not to get a hattrick as he hit the bar - plus Conway came on looking sharp and perhaps some momentum has finally arrived!
Well that was the proverbial game of two halves and which didn’t get off to a good start when Watford scored.
It turned out to just be a temporary concern as Boro got their act together, controlled midfield, got their passing game going and scored three good goals to improve the goal difference.
Just a shame that the Baggies couldn’t beat Ipswich who go to Southampton knowing that a win will secure second place. 😎