My thanks to you all for your kind comments. When it’s my turn to write the starter, at first I think of it as a bit of a chore. But once I get into writing it, then I really enjoy it and find honing it precisely as I want it very satisfying. It’s very gratifying to know that fellow Diasboroans also enjoyed reading it, just as I enjoy and appreciate the openers written by fellow bloggers.
I agree with Martin that this group of people who make up this blog is a special bunch and that the blog itself sets very high standards of behaviour, decency, debate and communication which I don’t think we’d find in many other online football forums. Well done all. And very special thanks to werder for your continuing and continual efforts on our behalf.
What's all this nonsense then. Call yersels Yorkshire men. My hand certainly doesn't reach the bottom o'me pocket... Oh. Hang on a minute. Maybe that is one thing that sets Teessiders apart... of course my pockets are readily accessible and count me in too if we are going to have a whip around.
Me too
UTB
@paulinboro I read yesterday that his calf injury was a “tear” Now I must admit to my ignorance in these matters, but previously all that was being said, was he has a calf issue.
Martin, I think Jarrod has a VPN, if so, no problem.
MFC has even posted all the countries where watching should not be an issue.
yes, I cann see the match through ViaPlay. I would prefer the BoroLive usually.https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/april/30/wrexham-match-picked-for-international-broadcast/
Come on BORO.
Does that mean that our Finnish correspondent won’t be able to watch the game? @Jarkko?
I go to see some birds with my brother and sister and their family. The birds are returning to the North again for the summer. So early take off and I hope to back at home by the match time! Up the Boro!
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/april/30/wrexham-match-picked-for-international-broadcast/
Come on BORO.
Werder, looks like you will be off to Belgium for the day! 😉😎
For me, the worst case scenario come full time on Saturday would be the Ipswich and Millwall results going our way, but us failing to win. That would be a hard pill to swallow, so our emphasis has to be on getting all three points.
I’m sure the team will be up for it.
I’ve prepared a match preview for a playoff game against Southampton in the hope that by doing so it won’t then be needed. I must admit, that’s some convoluted thinking going on in my head!
@martin-bellamy. Equally as bad could be us winning, Ipswich drawing and getting beat to second spot on goal difference; I fear if that occurred it could affect mentality and performance during the semi finals. 🙁😎
Ipswich have long been tipped as the team with the best squad and expected to be promoted. Then along come Southampton on a long unbeaten run including beating Arsenal to become a serious contender. Meanwhile Boro have been lauded as the best footballing team all season.
But what about hardworking Millwall? They seem to be nobody’s favourite and yet are better placed than eg Boro with a less difficult final game..
I still believe finishing second is for Ipswich to lose but Millwall are still in there and fighting.
Tomorrow will be interesting as TV cameras and commentators zoom around the grounds probably more excited than the supporters for whom it will be very tense.
I will take what comes as the team finishing second will have deserved it over the season.
I am more concerned as each day passes that Hackney is looking unlikely to wear the Boro shirt in the playoffs. At this stage we would hope to be hearing that he is back on the grass but no such luck.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔
Thank you, Clive, for that tremendously informative opener. And hats off to everyone else for contributing to this debate.
Can I also say how happy I am and have been to be back, and contributing, on a regular basis? My posting was like my love of Boro, or even my theatre reviewing - it went into a spell of deep freeze and there was a moment where I genuinely thought I'd never properly connect with the Boro, or write a full theatre review, again. Let alone be contributing regularly to this blog. But in every instance I found a way and am so much happier for it.
Anyway. I've a two part column for you all today, so I'd better get to it.
REMAKES, RESHAPES, RETAKES
I get why people are put off by the idea of cinematic remakes, reboots or legacy sequels. There's a common belief that they're unnecessary, or even a replacement or a "correction" for what came before them.
But here's the thing. There is one remake, one legacy sequel and one sequel in my Top 10, and I don't apologise for that in the least. At the best of times, their value in broadening the context and understanding of the characters and scenario within, in redefining a popular entity for a new generation, or in reflecting the passage of time, can be invaluable.
The football world, the Boro world, the real world - it's full of potential for great or most interesting remakes! New ways of telling an old story without disrespecting the foundation that came before. Not a replacement or a correction, but a complement. An accompaniment.
You see Paul Gascoigne welling up at Wembley during England's lap of honour at Euro 96 and you're devastated that it's happening again. This time Stuart Pearce didn't miss the penalty, this time Gazza didn't get suspended - but it's another semi-final elimination against the Germans on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
With Boro you have the building of our successful automatic promotion campaigns on rock solid centre half partnerships and dual shields. In 1998, in defence, you had Gianluca Festa or Steve Vickers alongside Nigel Pearson, in 2016 you had Dani Ayala and Ben Gibson. Robbie Mustoe and Andy Townsend's "shield" equivalents of 2016 are Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter. And up front, Jordan Rhodes follows on from Marco Branca and Uwe Fuchs, with Gaston Ramirez and previously Lee Tomlin the modern day Paul Merson and Alan Foggon equivalents. Today, Dael Fry, Luke Ayling and Adilson Malanda have held things together in the centre for the most part with Hayden Hackney and either Aidan Morris or Alan Browne usually being the midfield anchormen.
As I highlighted with England and Germany, it's results that mirror the past too. Had we beaten Brighton on the final day in 2016, our record would have been identical, home and away, to the record which won us promotion in 1998. The goals scored and conceded would have been different, sure, but you can't have everything.
History also tells us that we sealed automatic promotion to the inaugural Premier League in 1992 with a 2-1 win away to a team beginning with W - Wolves, that is! And it was also achieved on May 2. And victory tomorrow would leave us with a record of Won 23, Drawn 13, Lost 10 - which would be identical to that of Bryan Robson's champions of 1995.
This whole "history repeating itself" angle is nicely linked with the next section. Which is about...
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
I've pondered those recent, hugely disappointing and even devastating instances of dropped points at home - 0-0, 1-1, 0-1, 1-1, 1-2, 0-1 - and have found myself tempted to go along with the belief that promotion would have been ours had we held on against Bristol City and Portsmouth and nicked a goal against Oxford. For example. Except I don't think it's that simple.
Our performances and our results are a factor in the performances and the results of our rivals. Pompey's late, late win over us, for example, clearly gave them a huge boost and days later they both beat and kept a clean sheet against Ipswich. When we drop points, and lose to Millwall, more pressure may have piled on Alex Neil's men to do the business - either side of their impressive point at Ipswich and their win at the Riverside, they lost at home. To Blackburn and Norwich respectively.
It's a classic "ripple effect" - the consequence of one team's form or results not necessarily being a boost to a rival, but rather, the opposite. The closer one gets to the finish line, the less consistent form for even the best teams might be - our run of four wins in fourteen certainly doesn't look inspiring, but Ipswich have actually won just four in eleven. Echoes Blackburn in 1995 and their two wins out of six at the end of their title-winning season, even if they still got the big prize at the end. And never forget Scotland's highly unlikely and unexpected win in Sofia in 1987, or France, who needed just one win out of their final two home games to secure World Cup qualification in 1993, losing both to last minute goals.
It really is all to play for. Especially with two of those four Boro wins, and six of the goals, coming both at home and in the last two games...
Clive
Mamy thanks for your time and effort in producing a preview which may prove to be the last of the season !
Lets wait and see ?
Appreocate your efforts
OFB
Unfortunately as I posted some weeks ago it was doubtful that he would play again this season. Boro may be reluctant to exacerbate his injury by playing him in the play offs as they have a large fee hamgimg over his head to rebuild for next season.
OFB
@lenmasterman -Seconded or maybe thrided!
For contributions that is since i am late to respond - this retirement malarkey can be busier than working!
@CliveHurren - That was a masterly Match Preview. For various reasons I have just had the opportunity to read it. I haven't yet read any of the replies nor looked at the two linked articles, so that is the next job (a few other duties to deal with first, but hopefully later this evening).
I loved the "mackem/Wrex them" reference and various other little plays.
In a perfect world Boro would already have been promoted before the match kicks off at Wrexham and, but for a few recent lapses and/or dodgy decisions, that should have been the position. In any event, at the start of the season, very few of us would have predicted that Boro would enter the final round of games still with a (slim) possibility of automatic promotion and in the knowledge that, whatever happens, Boro cannot at least miss out from a spot in the Play-Offs.
Morris to score a goal (much less a screaming worldie!)? You'd get long odds against that, based on his firm in front of goal this season. Already half a century of failed attempts so far this season. I suppose we'd all have a massive smile on our faces if he (1) scored a winner from a 35 yard shot whilst all the other contending teams lose tomorrow or (2) he scored the only goal at the Wembley Play-Off Final to secure promotion. Legend status would also be secured!
We will see...
@clive-hurren - A belated thank you from me as well - an absolute belter to finish off the main season with “afters” likely to follow next weekend.
As others have said, I really did not expect us to be where we are at the start of the season(which only seems like yesterday) and would have been more than happy - nay, over the moon, with us having to beat Wrexham to secure a play off position with no expectations. After RE left, even more so.
So, to be where we are is very much an over achievement in my book and to think that if we had had the run of 7 games with 10 point return rather than 4, then we would be promoted now! But this is football, the Championship and Boro that we are talking about!
On to tomorrow, I my have to incur the wrath of Mrs BBD and purchase a Now TV pass to watch the game and typically rather than being a wet day when nothing could be done in the garden (that’s Sunday), the forecast is for a half decent dry day! Given that I will be attending the play off game (yes, I know, I know!) I cant push my luck too much……….
WIth Wrexham needing a win with a good goal difference over Hull for a play off, I predict an open game which will suit us so I will go for 4 3 to Boro and missing out on automatic with Millwall drawing and Ipswich equalising in the dying minutes of their game!
Anything else will be a bonus and leave me (and all other Boro fans ) euphoric!
Well done Clive, a great season finale.
I have greatly enjoyed the season, the writing, the comments and banter on this forum. Congratulations to all who contribute and let's enjoy what comes over the remaining games whatever the outcome.
UTB
Following on my recent post...
There are so many more examples of "history repeating itself" and "the ripple effect" that we can list! But rather than dwell on those right now, I will instead highlight something I've come across recently, courtesy of a friend of mine.
THE EWING THEORY
The Ewing theory, created by Dave Cirilli, appears to suggest that a team can often play better or defy expectations when their highly-praised "star man" is absent. This theory seems to have been based on Cirilli being convinced that basketball player Patrick Ewing's teams at Georgetown and with New York performed better without him. Hence the Ewing theory.
It popped up in conversation when I thought of Hayden Hackney and considered that, as good as he is, it is apparent that a significant amount of hype has built up around his gifts to the point where he appears to be the symbol of progress at Boro as well as a source of media attention. As if his strengths are being magnified and his weaknesses diminished. This isn't necessarily a bad thing - it's nice to have heroes we can believe in, and all that attention does play a part in the large fee hanging over his head for the future rebuild that Bob has mentioned. But it also runs the risk of taking focus away from where it needs to be - that is, the overall goal of promotion for the team and the club as a whole.
Of course Hackney is missed, of course a fit Hackney would give the team a lift, and of course there's a feeling of Queen the rock band and the Czech Republic team at Euro 2008 about this - a group that isn't the same without their biggest star.
But maybe it only looks and feels that way. We - and so many other sports teams - have proved it doesn't have to be that way. At least not always. Most recently, in our case, with the performance at Ipswich and the two home wins.
The key is simply to continue the momentum, and we've shown we have both the players and the confidence to do it.
We are all hoping for a miracle that somehow delivers automatic promotion into our lap but it does feel like a bit of a stretch. Ipswich could be ahead at half time and the excitement could dribble away like a punctured balloon. That would leave a certain amount of excitement around the play-off order but nothing to really get excited about.
I decided to go looking for true jeopardy and it's hard to go beyond League 2 where the final day should be insane.
It starts quite quietly at the top of the table. MK Dons (85) and Bromley (84) are guaranteed two out of the three automatic spots. Then it gets a bit crazier. The final automatic spot could go to any of Cambridge (81), Salford (80) or Notts County (79). Cambridge are in pole position as a win would see them through. However, a draw would see them vulnerable to a Salford win. A loss would see them vulnerable to both the teams below them.
That them leads to the play-off picture. The two losers from the automatic battle are guaranteed a play-off spot. That leaves two spots. The teams in the battle are Grimsby (77), Chesterfield (76), Swindon (75) and Barnet (73). It gets even better when we start to look at the fixtures but first lets complete the picture by looking at the relegation picture.
Two clubs go down to the Nationwide league. Why it is only two could be the subject of a very lengthy discussion but we can leave that for now. Two is the number! At the bottom of League 2 we find Barrow with 36 points and a dodgy goal difference. They seem scheduled for the drop but "where there's life etc etc". Above Barrow we find Harrogate (39), Crawley (39), Newport (40) and Tranmere (40).
Thus, we have a division where 14 clubs, or 13 clubs if you exclude Barrow, are still in title, promotion, play-off or relegation races.
The big twist comes when you look at the fixtures.
Barrow v Newport (Pure relegation vs relegation)
Bromley v Walsall (Bromley or MK Dons to win the league)
Cheltenham v Colchester (nothing on it)
Crawley v Salford (relegation vs auto promotion)
Crewe v Cambridge (auto promotion at stake for Cambridge)
Fleetwood v MK Dons (Bromley or MK Dons to win the league)
Gillingham v Shrewsbury (nothing on it)
Harrogate v Barnet (relegation vs play-ff spot)
Notts County v Bristol Rovers (auto-promotion possibility for Notts County)
Oldham v Accrington (nothing on it)
Swindon v Chesterfield (battle for a play-off spot).
Tranmere v Grimsby (relegation vs play-off)
I'm not going to bother to list the goal difference position. Anyone amused by this crazy last day can have a look themselves.
Best of luck to all the teams and ... of course
UTB
I really appreciate all the offers to contribute to Diasboro running cost but since they are probably only equivalent to less than the price of a half-full/half-empty (delete as appropriate) pint of beer a week then it’s absolutely not an issue that I even notice - especially as my relaxed drinking habits means I probably end up pouring that much undrunk beer down the sink every week and I never drink more than a couple of bottles on an evening.
What has been priceless is all the contributions from everyone writing brilliant match previews and posts as giving time is by far the greatest gift anyone can give!
So many thanks for the offers but I’m more than happy with all the generous contributions of time that has been made easier by having the forum format on a hosted site.
Half a pint is quite expensive these days, Werder! At least it is back here in the UK.
I have a cunning plan though.
The odds of Boro winning, Ipswich losing and Millwall failing to win are just over 78/1.
I’ve put a fiver on.
If it comes off we’ll have plenty to keep the metre running for a while, though I may end up drinking a few of those halves…
The final starting line-up of the regular season:
The thoughts of Chairman CJ:
It's four changes for Boro then. Fry, Targett, Browne, Strelec in for Bangura, Gilbert, Sarmiento and Hansen. McGree back on the bench.
Back to back three for Hellberg. Will likely be Strelec as the 9 with Whittaker and Conway either side of him. Will we see Malanda stepping up into midfield allowing Browne to push on too?
It's about as strong as Hellberg could have gone really, with McGree presumably not fit enough to start.
No Bangura in today's squad. Will ask about him after.
Extract from the Beeb's preview of the key matches in the chase for automatic promotion, highlighting the permutations with which we already only too familiar:
Middlesbrough face the toughest ask of all. Not only do they visit a Wrexham side with their own season on the line, but they need to win and hope Ipswich lose and Millwall fail to beat Oxford to sneak back into the top two, where they have spent more than three-quarters of the campaign, leading the way on three separate occasions.
The only way Boro could go up without Ipswich losing is if Kim Hellberg's men win by six goals at the Stok Cae Ras while Town draw, and even then Boro would need Millwall to fall short in their own game.
Totally off topic, but my obsession with the deterioration in the use of the English language won't let me overlook it: why "toughest ask"? What was wrong with the more correct "toughest task"?
Good luck everyone. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Been in the garden this morning and now sitting watching on Now TV! I may live to regret it!
COME ON BORO!
Sings PigBag in my head!
I will be happy with a win and no more injuries. The rest will drop into place
Boro with an early lead: TC in the 4th minute, assisted by Brittain! 🙂
Boro with an early lead: TC in the 4th minute, assisted by Brittain! 🙂
A minute after Hirst put the Tractor Boys one up - & Philogene has just added a second! 🙁
Current table shows Boro would be on course for promotion if that debatable pen vs Ipswich had not been given……but just one win from all those other games we messed up (that were in our control) is the most significant issue. Oh well let’s focus on the play offs
Great start by Boro with Conway htting the net after 4 minutes. There is nothing more possible for Boro than to win today. Clearly Boro has no influence on the other games taking place at the same time. Maybe a second goal, soon if possible, would be nice in order top settle the nerves. But a decent start so far.