70 minutes gone and Boro Live finally sort out the sound synch 🙄
Can Boro now sort out the problem of scoring 2 goals...
Maybe they can - penalty for Conway - though I think Brittain way pulling the shirt of the Swansea man but seen them given...
No idea why Munroe was subbed as he's been playing well...
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.
In the 74th minute, it's the South Korean who concedes a penalty (foul on Brittain), which TC converts to put Boro level!
Gilbert on for Munroe in the 81st minute.
Disappointing but not altogether surprising I guess. Oh, for a striker…
Another 2 points lost that shouldn't have been and no idea how Sene missed that 2 yard chance in the dying minutes. Also odd decision to sub Munroe who had been playing well and then move a completely shattered Brittain to left-back instead - didn't make sense. Still, yet another demonstration of how much a failure that Strelec and Sene have been. Boro now relying on Ipswich's fixture congestion to take it's toll if they are to finish above them but 3 points from 15 at this stage has been a disaster.
One part relieved, two parts disappointed.
Relieved that even after those two horribly self-inflicted wounds, we rallied and salvaged something, we were the final scorers in the game, it really could have been worse, we are ahead of Millwall again with a far superior goal difference and, games in hand or not, the opportunity to maintain the pressure on Ipswich remains.
Disappointed after another Groundhog Day scenario - plenty of shots, plenty of possession, not a lot to show for it. And the reality is, that's now three points from fifteen, whatever the fineness of those margins - 0-1, 1-1, 0-0, 1-2, 2-2.
OFB
Thanks for your quick response. John was a nice bloke. I appreciate your position as a friend and fellow referee in not wishing to pass comment. Your post just brought John to mind and the fact that, in my vague recollection, this televised match ruined his reputation.
Best wishes to you healthwise. UYB
A gritty fightback. We deserved at least a point, but you can’t keep on making stupid errors at the back. That smacks of Carrick defending. Sky told us we’ve now conceded 7 penalties this season, more than any other side in the division. Got to stop it! But at least we got one today, which makes a change.
I too was surprised to see Fin Munro substituted, as he was playing well and crossing first time, which most of his teammates certainly weren’t doing (although Bangura had also done so first half). Perhaps KH was conscious he’ll need Munro fit for Saturday so was trying to protect him? Btw, is there an unluckier player than Bangura? Yet another injury for the poor lad.
I think Hansen played quite decently in his cameo and perhaps deserves further opportunities, but Kaly Sène was hopeless. Get rid in the summer. And yet again Strelec disappointed. I think he’s had enough chances now to prove himself, so we might need to move him on too at the end of the season.
BORO THROW IT AWAY
A bright start and an early goal and playing well. Then gave away 2 penalties and the game changes. Thereafter an average performance and a bit fortunate to get a point. The game was there for the taking.
No wins in 5 games.
The team is making it easy for Ipswich to finish second with 2 games in hand and a better goal difference.
I still think Boro will be in the playoffs but can’t see them winning the playoffs.
The fundamental problem of creating chances, shooting when possible and having a goal scorer or two will be the stand out reason why the team failed to get automatic promotion. I think Strelec had 4 touches of the ball in the first half including a chance which he fluffed.
Philip of Huddersfield 👎👎👎☹️☹️☹️
@philip-of-huddersfield Keep the faith, Philip. We’re not done yet.
Twists and turns and yet more twists and turns to come, to be followed, surely, by even more twists and turns. 2nd place might not be decided till the last match of the regular season.
I am delighted we are still in the mix if a little frustrated we haven't taken any of the chances we have had to have 2nd nailed on already...
Out of all the summer attacking signings, Hansen has always appeared to me the one who has looked the most lively and dangerous when he's played. However, it seems he's also the one who has been given fewest opportunities. Sene and Strelec have not taken their opportunities and they don't look like they going to contribute anything meaningful anytime soon - plus they cost more than double what we got for Coburn!
Yes it's certainly allowed a stuttering Ipswich to be in the driving seat as we have just thrown away points that should've been comfortably put on the board as somehow Boro have contrived to squander their best chance ever to get automatic promotion with just 11 points from their last ten games - where I would say they were easily much the better side in 7 of those games that only ultimately yielded 5 points out of 21. Missed opportunity is an understatement!
Looks as though the chances of finishing second are rapidly diminishing following tonight’s disappointing draw and there is no one to blame but ourselves because of the chronic inability to put the ball in the net especially over the last five games. The only hope now is to win all five of the remaining games including away at Ipswich and Wrexham and hope that Ipswich have a wobble. It’s a very unlikely scenario but nothing else will do if we are to avoid the playoff lottery.
i hope that whatever happens there is an inquest at the end of the season as the why the recruitment team got the attacking acquisitions so wrong. Hansen has some promise but Sene and Strelec have both been a disaster. If we are to start next season in the Championship there needs to be a massive improvement in the quality of strike force recruited. If we scramble into the Premier League the same applies but in spades………
Munro appeared to get a slight knock or pulled muscle so may have been subbed as a precaution.
Back home now after a lovely evening only spoilt by the final score. Mind you a point is better than nowt I suppose. Highlights (?) to watch before any meaningful comments although first thoughts are that 2nd place looking unlikely especially with Ipswich having 2 games is hand and a better goal difference.
@clive-hurren The question is who would want to buy our misfiring strikers?
@boro-beckys-dad Given that one of their games in hand is against us, however... let's check how the fixtures pan out. Home fixtures highlighted in the team colours. Boro first, Ipswich second.
11/04 - Portsmouth - Norwich
14/04 - None - Portsmouth
19/04 - Ipswich - Boro
22/04 - Sheffield Wed - Charlton
25/04 - Watford - West Brom
28/04 - None - Southampton
02/05 - Wrexham - QPR
A negative, as well as our recent form as a whole, is that Ipswich have won three of their last five on the road. That said, they've only played five away games in two months if you don't count the cup defeat to Wrexham.
Our recent away record is a fair, even very good, one in isolation - W2 D2 L0 F9 A3 - but a disappointment given what's at stake.
Lots of good posts tonight with lots of hard questions to be answered by those at the top at MFC.
Forget what most of us thought at the beginning of the season, the fact is beyond our expectations we played ourselves to the top of the Championship, playing at times very good football. However even allowing for games like Millwall, we have contrived to throw it all away. As pointed out, eight points from 21 is just beyond belief.
Tonight we had TWENTY NINE shots. 6 on 7 off, so I assume 13 blocked. We do not get behind defences, many of our passes do not beat the first man. Brittain as good as he has been has probably been the biggest culprit because most our attacks are down the right.
Injuries, yes we have been unlucky. However Castledine was an almost ever present for Huddersfield but has hardly featured for Boro. Bangura is just one of those players that are always going to be injured. The Championship is a tough league and a number of our players are not up to the rigours of it.
But, if we fail to get promoted this season, then there needs to be another deep investigation within MFC, because for the last two season Mr Scott and his Team have failed Mr Gibson miserably with their choice of offensive players.
The cost in fees and wages is vast for a club like ours. The number on here is growing in the call for getting rid of these failures, but who would buy them, given their wages and the fees we paid. There would have to be some big hits taken that in reality we could not afford, unless we sell Hackney and use that money to cover the cost.
Hamilton as an example still has two years left on his contract.
I would really like to know what Kim Hellberg and Mr Gibson really think of this probable lost opportunity that only come round every ten years or so for MFC.
Just to make matters worse, it appears Birmingham had a perfectly valid equaliser disallowed against Ipswich after the linesman mistakenly judged a cross had gone out of play when video evidence has since shown the whole of the ball hadn't crossed the byline.
I think that we deserved to get the point and probably should have had more than that. So 126 shots in the past 5 matches with only 28 on target, and 4 goals scored, surely one day a few more of those will go in, and somebody gets a tonking. We are top of the penalties conceded table with 7, with only one being missed in the Ipswich home game. That penalty that we had conceded since the 23-4 season as we went all of last season without conceding one.
The way I see it now then Boro probably need 4 wins and possibly a draw to finish in 2nd spot - obviously one of those wins needs to be at Ipswich with them losing at Norwich and Southampton. Then Ipswich could only get another 12 points if they win their other 4 games. Millwall would have to win their last 5 games to finish above us.
@werdermouth. Simples then if only we could win a game. 😉😎
Reflecting on the last two games, I’m wondering whether we actually missed HH. We didn’t seem to play any worse without him and he’s anything but prolific in front of goal.
We appeared to play the ball long much more often than of late, with some success at times. I thought Morris had two good games although do we think he’ll ever score?
I can’t work out whether Strelec is just not good enough, whether his confidence has gone or if he’s just not getting the support he needs.
Munroe looked good and one for the future. I’ve no idea if Sene is any good or not but he’s not set the world on fire when he’s come on.
I think the loss of Bangura had a massive impact - he was finding loads of space down the left against their young fullback, so it was a huge blow when he went off. Whether he’ll be back any time soon is anyone’s guess.
It’s looking like we’ll be involved in the playoffs now, but I still haven’t given up hope of automatic promotion. Onwards to Saturday.
Winning is a slight flaw in my calculations but given Boro play Portsmouth, Sheff Wed and Watford at home - plus that trip to Ipswich - then it's not beyond the team if they perform.
@martin-bellamy. “I can’t work out whether Strelec is just not good enough, whether his confidence has gone or if he’s just not getting the support he needs.”
I am a confessed Strelec fan, I believe he has lots of ability and can score goals. His touch and close control can be excellent.
My take on his problems are a combination of factors, injuries, lack of consistent game time and quality of service and support.
I think if KH can find the right role/support for him he will come good. A bit like MC did with CA. I suppose only time will tell unless they decided to more him on next season. 😎
@k-p-in-spain I hope you’re right, although I confess you’re seeing something I’ve obviously missed.