Match at Swansea now a "must win". 
Well that's a good start to the Easter Monday fixtures - let's hope Boro do the business later and go back to second spot!
part one completed ok.... now CoBI took a glance at tomorrow's fixtures. Millwall at home to Norwich is not a gimmee for the Lions. Who knows? We could just be back in 2nd place by the end of the Easter weekend...
It is not over yet. CoB
I think they're probably all must win games now for a top two finish unless others start losing regularly - I imagine 5 more wins is a minimum!
After today, 5 of Ipswich's next 6 games are away (including trips to Norwich and Southampton) with their only home game being against Boro - plus it's 6 games in 17 days!
Boro have just 4 games in the same period with 3 at home that include against Sheff Wed and Portsmouth.
@original-fat-bob Thanks Bob. The mention of PP was specifically for you - I recall you mentioning his influence in a previous post.
Hope you’re feeling a bit better and looking forward to the game later.
Brum a goal up at Portman Road after 32 minutes...
CJ comments on the injury list@
Boro were without Hayden Hackney, Morgan Whittaker and Leo Castledine on Friday. Kim Hellberg confirmed that none of the trio would be back today. Matt Targett is a doubt after going off injured late in the Millwall loss.
It's less certain on the likes of Jones and Silvera, who are trying to make their way back.
Bangura & Sarmiento in for Fry & Targett - Targett's obviously more than a simple knock on Friday:
I assume LA will be captain in the absence of DF & Hh.
It’s a very long time since I last posted, although I’m a regular reader. Unfortunately, with other commitments and slow/non-existent typing skills, I don’t get time to contribute, so this is a rare opportunity. Bob’s post regarding Arthur Jones and Pat Partridge, however, brought back memories of my early years at work. Arthur Jones were a major supplier of ours at that time and, if I remember correctly, the daughter married Ken Powell and they were the parents of the brothers who own Cleveland Cables.
While Pat was held in high regard, a colleague of mine was another referee called John Quinn, whose career took a different trajectory. I’m hoping Bob or Len could remind me of the circumstances which brought about John’s demise. I’m sure it was a televised game where he made some poor decisions and things got out of control.
As for Boro, it would seem that every game is going to be a “must win”, starting tonight.
I knew John Quinn (Jack) to his friends and was chair of the local referees branch for a while. A lovely guy and I’m not going to talk about his demise as it could have happened to any referee.
Great that you’ve posted and are among friends hopefully a great result for this afternoon is awaited “!!
OFB
@martin-bellamy It’s great to hear some optimism creeping back in to the Forum, although if we don’t win today it’ll be a massive blow.
If we do not win today then I will start to worry about missing out on the playoffs even. There is no room at all for dropping any points. If we do not win today then, I think that the fat lady maybe will be warming up.
Alex Bangura gives Boro the lead in the 12th minute, assisted by TC! 🙂
Alex Bangura gives Boro the lead in the 12th minute, assisted by TC! 🙂
Swans level eight minutes later (Vipotnik penalty, conceded by Bangura). 🙁
CJ after the Swansea equaliser:
Boro quickly back on the front foot
They've reacted well to the equaliser. Back on the front foot and back at Swansea's defence. Get plenty of joy down the left with Bangura and Conway linking. McGree finding pockets of space and using the ball well too.
And a couple of minutes later:
Sarmiento chance
He looks to curl one from the far edge of the box but sends it well over. He's looking lively so far as well. Causing Swansea problems when he gets on the ball and drives at them.
Five minutes after that:
Bangura injury problem
Now what he needs. He went to take a throw in. He then just dropped the ball and sat down looking uncomfortable. Physios on to give him treatment. Not a good sign. He looks upset down on that far touchline to where we are.
He's replaced by young (20-year-old) Finley Munroe. A lot on his shoulders...
You have to feel for the manager. In both boxes his players become idiots.
I think I’m done with Sol Brynn. I liked his calmness and distribution at first but as the season has gone on his shot stopping has increasingly shown to be poor and what just happened there was unforgivable.
HT. 1-2. De dont look like a top 3 side, do we?
Swans take the lead in first half injury time - another Vipotnik penalty, this time conceded by Sol Brynn, who was adjudged to have brought down Eom Ji-Sung. A contributor to the Beeb's live commentary from Chichester calls it a "disgraceful dive" - Beeb commentator reponds:
There was tiniest bit of contact from Sol Brynn, who really did not need to make a challenge as Ji-Sung Eom was going away from goal, but the Swansea forward very much exaggerated it all.
McGree booked for dissent.
What the hell's going on?!!
Boro can't really be gifting a side 2 soft penalties - they now need to score 2 goals to win a game they were pretty comfortable in - though still looking shot shy but it's going to have to be a big second half now!
@andy-r. Totally agree, especially on Brynn; it’s not looking good as I can’t remember the last time we came from behind to win and we continue to show the same old frailties. 😎
Two individual errors and frankly neither should have happened.
I’ve no idea what Bryn was thinking there. Bangura looked our best outlet going forward so, of course he got injured. His goal was outstanding, his tackle was abysmal
I’m not sure we’re going to get anything out of this game - heads have gone down and KH has got a massive job at halftime
Brynn shouldn't have touched him but he didn't foul him. As blatant a dive as you will see, but he really shouldn't have touched him.
Heads are going. Needs a good halfctimw talk and maybe some fresh ideas ... Crux Ibeh ...hw couldn't do worse and just mighrcrisectovrhw occasion.
Also annoying is the Boro Live commentary is 1 second ahead of the video so always know what is happening - I downloaded a sound synch extension for Chrome but doesn't seem to work with the stream. Often happens for away games and it's almost like nobody is checking the stream at Boro's end!
Do the players really want to win this. Bangura and now Brynn, after awful defending, give Swansea two easy goals.
Boro cannot compete with the physicality of Swansea, albeit the refferee not giving any yellows for some poor fouls.
Fry, Hansen & Sène on for Sarmiento, McGree & Strelec in 65th minute. Can Fry make a difference?