@presidentjump I agree with that, PJ.
It was quite a brave comment to make after so little time in charge but 5 unbeaten buys you some respect.
He was correct in what he said and I’m glad he said it. It also shows the sort of man he is. Nothing but praise for him.
A interview with HH in this morning’s Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/18/hayden-hackney-middlesbrough-championship-promotion-interview?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Thanks for the intro Powmill. I think that it will be a tight game probably one goal in it. WBA have only scored 6 goals of which Isaac Price has scored 3. The referee tonight is Michael Kitchen who coincidentally refereed this game last season which we won 2-0. He also refereed the away game at Burnley last season which we drew 1-1.
@martin-bellamy. Thank you Martin, a very enjoyable read.
I agree with Bob Mortimer that the best bit of business the club did in the transfer window was to eventually hold onto HH. 😎
@martin-bellamy thanks for that HH link. It is a good read, not just filling column inches. Also nice to see someone other than Louise Taylor writing the piece. Ben Fisher is actually the Guardian's football man for Wales, SW England and the Midlands.
I am sorry that Fry will not be fit to play tonight. That said, I expect Lenihan will be a bigger presence after his decent first outing last week-end.
Regarding Whittaker, my instinct would be to keep him on the bench and start with Hansen. I think he (Whittaker) would benefit from coming on into a game when we are already looking comfortable, to let him play when there is a little less pressure on him to have to deliver. I might also start with Strelec rather than Sène. The latter could always come on later in the game when his fresh legs and pace might be advantageous. Otherwise, no change from Saturday.
I am looking forward to the game and will hopefully be annoying Mrs Powmill by shouting and dancing around the room when there are Boro goals scored! If Strelec does start, I am sticking to my earlier prediction of a brace for himself, but one for Conway too. An OFB Boro3 it is for me. Fingers crossed.
BTW @OFB, are you back at home and fit to go to game tonight?
powmillnaemore
Many thanks for a well researched and detailed post it’s obviously taken a lot of time to prepare and it’s appreciated.
Ive heard on the grapevine that Lenihan is injured so wont play tonight. Dont know if thats true George to step into the breach and also that Strelec will play up front.
Got to go for Boro3 WBA 1
OFB
Photo of tonight’s team ???
@original-fat-bob if that picture is true, it would show a serious attacking intent
@martin-bellamy - But Bob Mortimer's home team club has never been Redcar Town. Bob was born in Middlesbrough and grew up in the Linthorpe area, going to King's Manor School in Acklam.
@original-fat-bob - I'm not delighted to see George Edmunson at centre back. Somehow Lenighan or Fry seems a better proposition but I would still offer him my best wishes and hopefully the team can still do the business tonight.
"“YOU BEAUTY!!” the Middlesbrough-born comedian posted to his millions of followers in the minutes after the transfer deadline passed ..."
"... Hackney. The midfielder, who joined Middlesbrough at eight years old after being spotted playing for his home town team Redcar Town..."
Many thanks for the detailed opener Powmill, a pleasure to read.
I’m hoping two changes are made for tonight’s line-up: Strelec and Nypan for Sene and Whittaker.
If Strelec and Nypan are as good as I think they might be then we can’t hold them back for long and suddenly the front end of the team will look quite exciting, in the knowledge that those behind them are solid, determined and organised.
Getting the forward areas right is the key to this season now as the changes already in place have provided the defensive base needed to compete in every game. The forward line will turn stalemates into vital wins and make the difference between a decent season and a really good one.
I have a very good feeling about Strelec and Nypan. There again, I’ve been hopelessly wrong in the past!
I’ll get to see most of the match tonight but with the 100% record gone I think it’s safe to watch them again.
Tough match but no reason why we can’t win it. I’ll go for 2-0.
@forever-dormo Bob Mortimer was in the Boro ranks as a youngster. He was apparently devastated when he didn’t get to continue as a professional - he’d always assumed he’d be a full time footballer for the Boro.
Spotted this statistic which did not please me; need to make it three!
Middlesbrough have picked up 13 points in five Championship games so far this season (W4 D1) – only two of the last 10 teams with 13+ points at this stage have then been promoted: Leeds United in 2019-20 and Fulham in 2021-22. 😎
Yes I’m going still not 100% but have a car park booked only 20 yards from my seat so,should be ok. Got MRS OFB to lean on and drive.
Sorry not posted much lately !
OFB
@original-fat-bob - Best wishes, OFB.
@k-p-in-spain - Hopefully this is the start of a period when Boro starts to rip up old records and previous history.
@original-fat-bob delighted to hear that. Now, remember, don't you be lobbing any pyrotechnics onto the field of play... or at least, if you do, don't get caught!
@forever-dormo. I agree. We have endured enough over the last decade so it's about time things started to go for us; I just wish my uneasy feeling about tonight's match would just disappear! 😎
It's that time again folks, ten minutes then off to my wetherspoons, not for the usual Saturday morning breakfast on this occasion but an all day brunch will do just fine, a couple of sherbets then on the bus to Boro.
So looking forward to tonight, expecting a really tight game decided by the one goal and maybe the only goal.
I will go for Conway 70/80th minute.
Bring it on, everybody enjoy whether you are at the game or watching on Sky.
@presidentjump - I will admit to feeling a LITTLE nervous. But when that whistle goes.... #UTB.
Team News...
Looks like OFB's leaked team was correct! No Lenihan in the squad with Bangura on the bench but no other centre-backs!
Well we’re here and apparently it’s nearly a sell out tonight !
come on Boro
OFB
To all of you at the game, have a fantastic evening. I’m going 2-1. I’d love a goal from Whitaker when he comes on late in the game.
Wow. So proud to see the kids that Boro have with them at the line up... great to see. Mrs Powmill has worked with kids with complex disabilities for 17 years now. She is delighted to see that.
From the Beeb's live commentary:
Statistically speaking...
Beating a team who have remained undefeated so far this season is a task in itself, but West Bromwich Albion will also have to shed their recent history at the Riverside too.
Here's our pick of the stats:
- Middlesbrough have won each of their past three league meetings with West Bromwich Albion without conceding, last winning four in a row versus the Baggies between 1994 and 1997.
- West Bromwich Albion have only won on one of their past seven league trips to Middlesbrough (D2 L4), winning 1-0 under Slaven Bilic in October 2019 through a Hal Robson-Kanu goal.
- Middlesbrough have picked up 13 points in five Championship games so far this season (W4 D1) – only two of the past 10 teams with 13+ points at this stage have then been promoted: Leeds United in 2019-20 and Fulham in 2021-22.
- West Bromwich Albion have won their past two away Championship matches, more than they won in their previous 20 on the road (W1 D11 L8). The last time the Baggies won three away in a row was their first three away games of 2024-25.
- Middlesbrough's Matt Targett has been involved in a goal in each of his two Championship games so far for the club (1 goal, 1 assist). Targett has ended on the winning side in 69.6% of his Championship appearances (16/23), the 10th best ratio of any player to make 20+ appearances since 2004-05.
Just seen the team. Up front and on the bench looks really strong.
At the back we are already looking vulnerable. Two of the injury prone are already out, and with Edmundson drafted in. No CB on the bench. Letting Borges go could turn out to be a bad move.
Boro takes the lead in the 26th minute through Strelec (his first for the club), assisted by Ayling. From the Beeb's live commentary:
A long throw into the box is knocked into Strelec's path by captain Luke Ayling and the Slovakian is free to direct it into the net to score in his first time at the Riverside.
Baggies boss Ryan Mason isn't pleased. Not only because he's just watched his side concede but they didn't do all that much to prevent it either.