@powmillnaemore. It is certainly worth a try and will keep, to a degree, the opposition guessing as to what to expect from us; unless they have sent someone to spy on us. 😉😎
KP, seeing more games like Millwall and Southampton is fine if you're considering Millwall away under Rob Edwards and the Southampton home game in the league, where we won 3-0 and 4-0 respectively. (I know you mean the home game against Millwall and the play-off game, really. I'm just joking.)
In Southampton's case yesterday I think it was, as you implied, a combination of a low block or a well-organised defence, but in the second half. Even when we were tearing through them I do think that if we'd had the quality to create further opportunities like Conway's, we would have been more likely to have gone ahead. One could suggest that the crossing could have been better, but then you could also give Southampton credit for defending well.
That said, this "quality" argument, coupled with Southampton's strength in depth and form, also makes yesterday's 0-0 result kind of commendable on reflection.
It's what separates this draw from at least three of Karanka's 0-0s - one at home to Leeds in 2014, the Bournemouth game that same year, and the away game at Leeds in 2016. The feeling in each of those games were that whatever the circumstances - (a) taking time to build a new team in a new set-up, (b) the opposition being the table toppers on a long winning run and (c) losing a key centre half to suspension with minutes to go - the right playing staff were still available to make a difference, and they were either taken off the pitch, left on the bench or not given enough time.
In short? The general feeling of the team "giving it their best shot" wasn't there, whereas here you could make the case that we gave it our best shot on the day and just came up short.
Doesn't make it any less frustrating, I know, but we have to remember that the prize is still there to be won.
@mw-in-darwin - Glad that your journey back was far better than the previous one.
Agree that the atmosphere was really good and the effort put into the preparation with the cards in seats etc was impressive. KH said in his post match interview that he hadn’t experienced anything like that before.
The chants and booing was to be expected given the allegations made and the defence made by Southampton that it was a loan wolf acting on his own really doesn’t stand up - On Tees before the game, they did a good take down of that idea ! Anyway I don’t expect there to be any real penalties made. My cousin made a suggestion that the game on Tuesday should be behind closed doors which would hurt financially and also give us an advantage.
On to the game itself, relatively happy that we came away with a draw rather than a defeat which it could easily have been - I was somewhat nervous in the last 20 minutes or so - they certainly changed their approach 2nd half. referee should have booked their keeper for time wasting in the first half and also not surprised that their number 9 got himself booked - he was all over Fry and I had visions of Fry getting booked or worse.
I also didn’t think Soton were overly impressive.
As we have seen too many times this season, our failure to score was our downfall- Conway was unlucky to hit the post and then not score again in the melé when their keeper made a good stop. We still appear to be looking for the perfect opportunity in the box rather than taking a shot.
Not sure what to expect on Tuesday, maybe HH will be able to play a part but we just need a bit of luck to put the ball in the back of the net! THe suggestion from Powmill above might not be a bad idea because something needs to change if we are to get to Wembley.
@boro-beckys-dad "We still appear to be looking for the perfect opportunity in the box rather than taking a shot."
Something I've often seen from us this season. I think you're right.
Reminds me of a film review which I disagreed with, but liked the reasoning of - a review which implied that the stuff the film did was so, so good that it was hugely frustrating to see it fall short of greatness by way of trying too hard.
Did you see the young Boro supporter with binoculars and a piece of bush (a branch of a tree) on TV? There were some fans at the stadium acting like spyes. I and my doughter loughed lound while watching ...
It wasn't just the Boro fan with binoculars, Jarkko - see first photo:
The so-called "match summary" contains precisely two paragraphs about how play unfolded & spends the rest of the time discussing the spying "scandal"! It does, however, at least speculate on the size of the fine that is likely to be imposed by quoting the amount Leeds had to stump up in 2019.
@stircrazy. I burst of laughing when I spotted the supporter with the piece of bush and binoculars and Mrs P asked me what I was laughing at.
When I told her and then was able to point it out to her she also burst out laughing.
Football supporters you just have to love them; unless they are from Southampton. 😉😎
EXMIL CHALLENGE 2026 - Halftime Scores
I have published the halftime scores on the Social Club site, unlike the real semifinals we have a leader 🤔 in each, with everything to play for in the second legs.
Good luck everyone, especially the Boro.
I wonder if we’ll hear anything from the EFL about spygate before we play the second leg. If they plan to take action later this week (after the game) then presumably it definitely won’t be a ban from the final for Southampton. If we lose tomorrow it will be the end of the season for Boro and the end of training too, I guess, so we’d not be ready for the final on 23rd.
I wonder if the authorities are waiting to see the result of the second leg before making any decision.
In the words of Kevin Keegan, “And I’ll tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it.”
@martin-bellamy. I think they will want to see the outcome of the game and then decide on the punishment to apply; I hope we win because at least that way we have got to the final fair and square.
If we lose and are then awarded the tie, everyone will always remember how we got to the final. 😎
Call me cynical but there was no chance of a decision until after both games have been played and televised by Sky - why kill the excitement of the actual games where tickets have been sold when you can simply decide afterwards if it then merits expulsion.
Having said that they will need to rule on the matter before tickets are sold for the final if Southampton were to beat Boro as then innocent supporters will start booking their travel arrangements and possible accommodation.
Once a final happens with Southampton and if they are expelled then only the other finalist can profit from the decision not Boro.
Of course they could make a ruling that expulsion is on the table if it is deemed a coordinated plan by senior employees of the club.
Still it's perhaps best to avoid being distracted by a potential reprieve and play the game as a must win with victory on the pitch.
I'm sure we'd somehow manage to get over being awarded a place in the final by default 😉
@werdermouth - aka Mr Cynical
I suspect you are probably right - too much money at stake even if the fans come second in the equations!
I don’t expect anything to happen until after the final to be honest so that any penalty can be decided based on what Southampton have achieved.
Eg
We get to final - well Southampton would have forfeited the tie and they have a fine
Southampton lose in final - Southampton would have forfeited our tie and here is a points deduction and a fine
Southampton win promotion - Southampton get hit with a fine
I can’t see Southampton being penalized in any meaningful way regardless as after all, they knew nothing about it, the member of staff was acting on his initiative!
We just need to concentrate on the game and make sure we can actually score a goal or 3!
Signed - Mr Cynical the second
Has anyone been allocated a starter for tomorrow’s game?
it may be controversial although personally I would say just carry on with this one and await the next match after that!
We haven't scored a goal in a playoff game since May 15th 2015, when Albert Adomah scored the third in our 3-0 win over Brentford. Since then it is six games without a goal. This will be our eighth playoff game away from the Riverside and we have only won one, 2-1 at Brentford in 2015. So hopefully something will change tomorrow night. Interestingly the referee is Andrew Madley, a Premier League referee, and we all know what happened when we last had a Premier League ref. Following the Millwall game on the BBC and apparently everytime Hull makes the playoffs they get promoted!
@mw-in-darwin - our luck must be due to change at some point so we never know.
Let’s hope that penalties won’t be needed tomorrow.
SPYGATE
I think there’s zero chance of Southampton being kicked out of the competition. If found guilty then I expect a fine - there’s a precedent and so it will be an easy decision to make with no rush to decide soon.
TOMORROW
Obviously, Southampton will be clear favourites. I’m concerned Boro ran out of gas on Saturday and with limited recovery time and a long journey it has to be a concern. I just can’t see Boro keeping a clean sheet and so to win I believe they’ll need a minimum of 2 goals. I think it will be a “ backs to the wall” game for Boro and a test if they can break quickly when the opportunities arise.
Logic says it has to be a Southampton win - but that was the logic tonight and yet Hull won. Can we please have two surprise with Boro winning ?
philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔🤔🤔
@philip-of-huddersfield - The play offs prove anything is possible although Millwall fans will be fuming.
We cn hope for a similar score line tomorrow.
@philip-of-huddersfield The precedent isn’t strictly an equivalence - a specific rule was put in place after the Bielsa incident and the rules have clearly been breached. The EFL are in a real bind - if they simply impose a fine then there’s no disincentive for any team to breach the rules.
I’m still not convinced they won’t fudge it.
NE running with a "SpyGate" exclusive, during which they state, NO date has been set for the tribunal meeting.
As many have said, Sky TV, tickets sold, up-heaval, Southampton will under no circumstances be kicked out. A fine at best, which will not profit MFC, as they will not get it.
No we will have to beat all the odds that have been written on here. No goals in play offs, no this and no that.
Let's hope someone is smiling down on Boro. It is about time we had a little luck.
NE “exclusive” article, and why nothing of real value will happen to Southampton.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/26096398.middlesbrough-said-efl-southampton-spygate/
@pedro -If Southampton go up, maybe the fine should be the same as the estimated parachute payment paid to Boro!
I can but dream because there is no way that any fine will act as a deterrent and the EFL will bottle it.
I am surprised that they haven’t blamed Boro for not having a good enough security perimeter.
Southampton should claim that it was all part of Le Tissier’s search for aliens.
UTB
I watched the second half of the Millwall v Hull game and Hull were deserved winners as Millwall offered very little - The Tigers played 3 big centre-backs and completely neutalised Coburn, who couldn't get into the game - plus Hull were always quick and dangerous on the break with Giles down the left and Belloumi down the right (who scored and assisted) - not to mention Matt Crooks who looked fit and sharp and acted as playmaker. Even Paddy McNair came on at the end to add to the ex-Boro contingent.
Hull certainly look like they have momentum after sneaking back into the play-offs on the last day and now at Wembley, one game away from making the PL after only escaping relegation to League 1 on goal difference last season.
The journey down should not be a factor. The team flew from Teesside yesterday afternoon and were at Southampton Airport 50 minutes later.
Finally it's crunch day, Boro's season of promise, excitement, depression and pleasure comes down to the final 90minutes. Plus injury time of course. As Pink Floyd said 'however did we come to this' after the position we were in?
A more open game perhaps? It will be if we are not pinned back in our half and one good thing about 'typical Boro' is that they do have the capability for a surprise built into them.
The result? Obviously Southampton are favourites but you never know with 'Typical Boro' and perhaps that's why we love them so much.
Now I'm off to prepare the 'supporters cave' behind the couch. x Ear plugs, Check. Crisps and peanuts. Check. Four pints of Timothy Taylor. Check. Tissues. Check.
It has been a great season though? Definitely.
ATB everyone. OFB, stay calm...
UTB,
John