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Birmingham v Boro
 

Birmingham v Boro

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Posted by: @original-fat-bob

https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/chelsea-withdraw-middlesbrough-behind-closed-doors-request-amid-heavy-backlash

OFB

I suspect that it was a case of Chelsea trying to blackmail/bully the government etc to allow them to start selling tickets again, it is too late for the cup match as the deadline passed this morning at 09:30 which included an extension granted by MFC.

Come on BORO.


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I have just heard on the BBCR4 "PM" programme (about 5.50pm) that Chelsea has indicated to the FA that they withdraw the application for the FA Cup Quarter Final against Boro to be played behind closed doors.  There had, of course, been a significant backlash to the request and the phrase TONE DEAF seems appropriate.  Anyway, on we go with the  Chelsea game.  And tonight's game at Birmingham.  But first, I have an appointment with a nice looking sirloin steak...


Powmill-Naemore
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Posted by: @forever-dormo

I have just heard on the BBCR4 "PM" programme (about 5.50pm) that Chelsea has indicated to the FA that they withdraw the application for the FA Cup Quarter Final against Boro to be played behind closed doors.  There had, of course, been a significant backlash to the request and the phrase TONE DEAF seems appropriate.  Anyway, on we go with the  Chelsea game.  And tonight's game at Birmingham.  But first, I have an appointment with a nice looking sirloin steak...

I trust you have a decent glass of red to go with that... 🍷


Philip of Huddersfield
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Thanks KP,

I understand your position and I’m with you being 90 miles from Middlesbrough, I find it useful to be able to watch Boro on TV including mid week which makes all games available on the red button. 
However, for those more able to get to the Riverside  than you and I , I’d prefer them to watch live to eg add to the atmosphere etc.

Philip of Huddersfield 

ps - another reason why I hope we can win - I’m getting too much banter from the locals being comfortably in the top 6 !!


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Team News: Dijksteel returns in place of Peltier and once again Balogun and Connolly start up top...

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Posted by: @werdermouth

Team News: Dijksteel returns in place of Peltier and once again Balogun and Connolly start up top...

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Still no Sporar in the squad, maybe Covid and is isolating.

Come on BORO.


   
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So while Boro have the blues this week, it's first up those in the Midlands and the important matter of three points and getting back into the play-offs. Thanks to Andy for another quality match preview and I'd agree that this in theory should be three points against a team that both struggles to score and defend. Indeed, Boro need to start winning some of their trips on the road if they are to finish in the top six.

I fancy Connolly to score this evening, he's looked better with each game and looks to be almost there now - a goal would perhaps give him that leap of confidence every striker needs and then he may start to look the part. Despite his obvious skill and belief, Balogun is still a little green and maybe needs to make better decisions but maybe Birmingham are the kind of team he should be able to perform against.

So I'm predicting a comfortable win tonight and some momentum to take into the game against those other blues on Saturday in the Cup - thankfully the London Blues have actually re-read their statement on Sporting Integrity and realised it was the most crass statement made by a football club in a generation and withdrawn it sheepishly!

Predition: Blues 0 - 3 Boro


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A bit belated but thanks Andy for a great opener.

Come on BORO.


   
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Is it just me but does Birmingham ground look horrendous.

Come on BORO.


   
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Watching on red button , in the words of Bob Mortimer "very low quality"


   
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Is anybody playing in midfield


   
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Well there you go I will keep quiet


   
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Topic starter  

Quite an entertaining first half at St Andrews. The game was end to end at times without either keeper needing to make a save but a moment of quality down Boro’s right - for once not involving Isiah Jones - got the busy Aaron Connolly his goal and Boro settled from there to take more control.

It was a shame that Balogun’s “goal” was ruled offside right at the end of the half, leaving Boro with some work still to do in the second half but we’re on top.


   
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Jones and Crooks seem to have been playing below par for last 4 games

OFB


   
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It was a mixed bag of a first half with Boro starting well but then losing coherence in midfield as Birmingham fashioned three decent chances but couldn't finish. Boro got back on top and made the breakthrough with a good move that was possibly scored by Connolly. However, much of the first half lacked quality when it was needed and the game has been scrappy in periods. At least there's plenty of energy on the pitch but could have been a more convincing scoreline at the interval - especially if Balogan had timed his run better or the linesman hadn't have been woken up by Boro's celebration!


   
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An indifferent game but we're improving. Our non-scoring strikers are doing well. Balogun looks strong, is linking up well and finished his "goal" well. This is about as well as Connolly has played for us: he is hassling the defence and making decent runs. Our midfield looks like it is starting to get some of its mojo back.

For some reason we have been focusing our attacks down the left but our goal came from the first time we attacked properly down the right. Jones is having a bit of a dip in form at the moment but, like most of the team, has improved as the half has gone on. Dijksteel often looks ropey when he comes back after an absence but today he has been excellent.

As has Lumley. He has dominated his box, made good decisions and generally looked like a top-drawer keeper. This is a game that is very much in the balance. Brum have been poor but if they get a run of the ball they could easily score twice against us. If we play to our potential we ought to see this game off comfortably. All to play for, as they say.


   
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Good to see we have got ourselves in front but this is far from over.

Quite frankly Brum are a very poor side and we should be dominating more than we are.

We need a second goal fairly quickly in the second half or else we are likely to have a torrid 45 mins where, on what I have seen so far, Brum could just as easily get something. CoB put them to bed. 😎

 


   
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Pedro de Espana
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OFB, the midfield, Tav aside, has been lacking energy for a few games now. Crooks has just continued on from Saturday. Howson is running on empty.

Unfortuanately the front two just cannot hold the ball up.


   
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A scrappy game with Boro offering little and Birmingham even less.

Our goal was scruffy in keeping with the game and a second just on the half-time whistle looked like a probable match winner. The offside flag raised when the players were back at the centre-circle defied credibility.   If it wasn't  a goal then what about the (red card?) foul on Balagon as he went through?

Ironic that Connolly and Balagon should have been on the mark since they offered precious little else.  How many more games can we play with a front two who offer nothing except a double-quick return of the ball to the opposition?

Tav played well as did Paddy and Dael with Jonny Howson doing his best to hold things together.  But for the most part this has been a painful watch against opposition that has little to play for.

Agree with exmil that the pitch has been watered to the pint of visible puddles, and is being soaked all over again during the interval. It doesn't seem to be advantageous to either side.

We need to get Wattie on straightaway to put this game to bed. If Brum cut through us as they did early in the game we might end up embarrassed in a game that is there for the taking.


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Chance for early goal blown!  The way this is going the next goal is bound to go to Brum! 😎


   
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Get in, now see it out. 😎😊


   
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Has the linesmen made a decision yet? 😉😎


   
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jarkko
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A comfortable win. Up the Boro!


   
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Topic starter  

Comfortable in the end.

Birmingham had a go in the first half but Connolly’s goal settled Boro and we got stronger from there.

Lumley was steady, the back three were all rock solid and the front two finally added a killer touch to their approach play.

Connolly and Balogun are steadily improving. I think that was probably both their best performances, albeit against quite gentle opposition who didn’t have Millwall’s drive or spite and lacked quality upfield. Balogun’s goal was excellently taken.

Job done and back into the top six for now.

This post was modified 2 years ago 3 times by Andy R

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Well- good win tonight still seems that crooks and Jones seem very tired in their performances last four games. A win is a win come on Boro -

 

OFB


   
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In the end, a routine win. No weak links and a finish of genuine quality from Balogun. If Connolly and Balogun can keep up this level of performance for the rest of the season then we'll be looking good. I did notice as well that when Balogun scored the rest of the team made a real point of celebrating with him; it looks like he is well liked in the team.

I think Howson also looked back to his best in the second half. 

Happy days.

 


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Boro controlled the second half and ended up comfortable winners, which would have been even more so if McNair would have put some more power on his pen. Still, a great strike from Balogun soon followed after a well-work approach from Boro. After that the result was never in doubt and especially after the Blues went down to ten and Boro's first league win on the road this year - which considering it's mid-March explains why Chris Wilder's team are only just hovering around the play-off positions. So nine games to go and perhaps time to push on - though slight concern over Jones going off injured at the end as we don't really have a replacement option. Tav probably MoM again but it was more a solid team performance against an average side who offered few scares.


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That must have been some half-time rollicking from Wilder because we came out with much greater energy and sense of urgency, and both Connolly and Balogun gained some redemption, Connolly with some determined runs and Balogun with an absolute picture goal.  A pity that they rather reverted to type by managing to bungle a simple two-against -one situation later in the game. 

After the killer second goal there was only going to be one winner and we continued to stifle B'hamwith some determined pressing and played with some creativity when we had the ball.

I could not understand why Crooks managed to get himself booked with a clumsy unnecessary foul in the last minute with the game well won. Beyond me, any logic , or simple common sense.

But three well-earned and absolutely necessary points.  And by some fluke I've managed to get the Boro's last four results right, which doesn't augur well for the Cardiff game.  I've tipped us for a win.


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We have an additional 3,200 tickets available to Boro fans for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea at the Riverside (5.15pm).

These tickets have been returned to the club by Chelsea due to government sanctions.

These tickets will be available to purchase for Boro fans with 11+ Priority Points from Wednesday 16 March at 10.30am.

Tickets will ONLY be available to purchase online here and will be limited to two per qualifying account.

The Ticket Office counters will NOT be open on Wednesday and tickets will NOT be available to purchase by the telephone.

OFB‌


   
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Philip of Huddersfield
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Result - just what was needed.

But until the first goal, the passing and control of the ball wasn’t good.
CW was critical in the defeat at Sheffield of the defenders playing long balls in the air and Fry was  often guilty of this when an opponent closed him down. When he didn’t do it , he passed the ball back to Lumley who hoofed it long. (other than that Fry was solid)  I felt sorry for our two small forwards.

After the goal  Boro played better and Balogun scored an excellent goal. Connelly is slowly improving. Criticism of young Jones is a bit harsh- he did at least earn a penalty and earned the free kick which made it easier for his team  mates with the second yellow card getting the Birmingham defender sent off.

The longer the game went on, the more Boro looked comfortable and played better - I liked the surging forward runs of Howson in the second half.

It has to be said that Birmingham were poor enabling Boro to finish the game in a canter.

So, tomorrow we can all watch the Championship games in a more relaxed frame of mind.  And then the encounter with Chelsea.

Did Boro soften up Millwall enough to make it easier for the locals here  (Huddersfield) to get a result at the Den ?!

Philip of Huddersfield 


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