@lenmasterman Len, whilst you have written another excellant post, I think that it paints a loan players Club as somewhat mercenary.
As Exmil said, injured loan players (to the best of my knowledge) always go back to their parent club for treatment. Something one can not really argue about. Indeed Middlesbrough have executed the same process with their loan players in the past.
I do believe myself, that Ramsey will not play for the Boro again this season. If he does return it will be only as a sub possibly.
I also believe that the majority of players would want to play in these important fixtures to come. Even if only 80% fit.
I remember Strachan saying many years ago, when you get to a certain age as a footballer, you are generally always carrying a “niggle”
Lots of players and fans had a niggle with Strachan when he was Boro’s manager !
I think of all the managers we’ve had he was the worst one all the time I’ve supported Boro since 1964.
OFB
Thanks OFB for your comprehensive intro to our final league game. Before the Rotherham match I said I was worried about the matches against both Rotherham and Coventry. My first worry proved correct and now I am even more concerned about playing Coventry, possibly 3 times and whether our injury hit squad can even make it to the playoff final. I admire your "Boro3" confidence but in my life I find it less painful to be prepared for the worst. It will be great if Carrick is able to get the fit players to play as well as we were earlier in front of a full Riverside and in the away leg of the semi so that we would have another full ground for the home leg and go into the final on a high.
I agree that Hackney's tackle was very bad and if it had been later in the match he would probably have been sent off. Recently he seems to put in a bad tackle in every match and I think Carrick needs to warn him before he does get a red card.
Whatever happens I agree that, until the injuries, the football that the Boro has played under Carrick has been really good to watch. I think it has been the best in the 10 years that I have have had my current season card.
Coventry need this more than us, but you can't be losing games like we have, since the break we've been erratic, injuries and defensive poor play have caused most of it,
When we are on the front foot and move it around quickly not many can live with us, lately we've been hesitant .
Our defensive problems start with Howson and Hackney, good on the ball ,and are competitive,but they constantly get caught out of position and too far forward at the wrong time . Mcgree is the one allowed to drift around near the striker the other two should read that, having said all that if we get to the final I fancy us to embrace a Wembley appearance and light it up, it's getting there
I'm getting nervous about the game on Monday. I don't think anyone will agree with me but this has to be a must win. First of all for the fans who will be there and also to put pressure on the other teams in the play off's. Plus a win would give the players and the supporters a great lift.
To lose is unthinkable, it would give our the other teams a boost and most of all give the supporters a worrying time ahead of the forthcoming games. 🙄
Play off scenario
@malcolm. So am I given my recent record when attending the Riverside, won 1 lost 2 😖😎
Have a look at Wycombe 2nd goal scored from near the halfway line by Lewis Wing, notice how he looks up first to notice the keeper off his line.
https://www.skysports.com/football/portsmouth-vs-wycombe-wanderers/report/469479
Come on BORO.
@exmil You beat me to that one. 😎
I was also going to say, that although Wycombe missed out on the play offs, Wing has had an excellent season with them.
He played the most games at (47), top scorer on nine goals and five assists. I would not be surprised to see him back playing in the Championship next season.
Our own Josh Coburn finished the season playing 34 League games, although a number from the bench, scored ten goals. Unfortunately went off injured at HT this afternoon after hitting the bar with a header just before.
A big match tomorrow and I'm assuming the DiasBoro default position. I'll be behind the couch, ear plugs in, under a blanket with a couple of beers. Shades of Doctor Who in the early days. No prediction from me, just don't lose or concede. Well you have to try.
Take care everyone,
UTB,
John
Thank you for starter, Well Shaped Bob.
It will be an tough match. We will play as well as we can - Carrick has said so - but the match is very, very important to the Sky Blues, too. They need to draw to make sure they are in the play-offs.
Boro need to win, too to get some momentum going into the play-offs. Nobody wants to go there with a third straight defeat in a row.
So Ideally we would like to win. Get some momentum, but if it is still 1-1 or 2-2 with 10 min left, I could imagine a draw will be played for by both teams. But with a full house at Riverside, I will hope the Boro clicks for once ane we have the wrapped up in the first half.
I will go for a 3-1win for the mighty Boro. The game will star at 17:00 local time here. So one needs to stop working well in time to see the match from the very beginning.
Is it a hung-over day in the UK as all the matches star so earluy today? I hope the King is all well now and we can go back to basics and enjoy the footy. Up the Boro!
I'm a little anxious about the conditions today. Wet, wet, wet. If Coventry go for it hell for leather, we will have to match them and the chance of an unwelcome injury, or booking/sending off is greater.
Still want to see us win this convincingly...
Sometimes past statistics are worth considering when forecasting today’s matches, so here are three facts that might eliminate any doubts that Boro may NOT beat Coventry today :-
1. Coventry have NEVER won at the Riverside Stadium losing 9 times in 12 visits. As Boro have scored 3 goals in 6 of their last 8 matches at the Riverside this season, one might expect that the players will be confident in returning home after two successive away defeats.
2. This season Coventry are winless in all of their encounters against clubs above them in the league, although they do have a 50% record of draws in those matches.
3. Of course we all know that Chuba Apkom has scored in each of his last 9 home matches, and when Boro score first at home this season they never lose.
One other statistic to note is that if they do qualify for the playoffs Coventry will be only the 3rd club to do so without winning any of their first 7 matches, that record going back to the 1968/69 season.
Finally there’s no logical reason why past performances or statistics should recur, but it’s uncanny how often they do. Today’s match in my opinion is a ‘must win’ match and as I stated recently would eliminate one of our main contenders.
@malcolm - Thanks for that link, Martin. My view is that none of those 5 most expensive signings "did it" for Boro. And also thanks for the "play-off scenarios" link. Hopefully we can put Coventry's nose out of joint this afternoon at the Riverside!
@powmillnaemore - "If it will be wet...!" It's been raining non-stop for ages, I've seen some people in my street starting to make an Ark, and we all know that Boro will be watering the pitch almost up to the kick-off. The players will need flippers rather than boots.
...and finally, I just hope that Coventry players don't start like a proverbial train, immediately after the starting whistle. I'd like Boro to do that. I want OUR players to be fully " up" for this game. It is, after all, the last game of the regular home season, and it will be played out before a Bank Holiday sell-out crowd looking forward for any hint or encouragement to take into a hoped-for play-off success in the next few weeks, and promotion to the Premier League.
Bearing in mind the teams that may well in the next couple of weeks or so be relegated from the Premier League as well as teams like Norwich, Watford and Sunderland keen to do better next season, and the teams who fall just short this season, 2023-24 is not a year I would want to be in The Championship.
Time for some grub and then the journey to the Riverside. I HAD intended to pop around the villlage to see any street parties which might be braving the weather. But on reflection, any particpants would probably be wearing swimming trunks and the sandwiches and cake would be decidedly damp and limp. So maybe they'll eat indoors...
We worry who we will play in the play-offs.
But think about Sunderland fans and their thoughts before the match away to Preston. Like us 12 months ago!
Or think about Coventry fans. They do not care yet who they will face IF they reach the play-offs!!!
So relax, we will be there already. Just enjoy the ride today. Up the Boro!
PS. When is the first leg of our play-off matches (away)? I know the home date is Wednesday 17 May (8pm), but I need to visit Barcelona on business later this week. And I will be back on Saturday afternoon. I think the 2nd leg was Sunday, though.
I do not think that our manager will change his plan for this last pointless match of the season. We have played as you would expect for four meaningless games, against teams desperate for points (I.e. Organised running into people at top speed) I hope and believe that he has retired to the training ground, wrapped his key players in cotton wool, fulfilled the fixtures as required, and planned for the playoffs. If that means that we will see Coventry scramble into the playoffs, then so be it. With our full side out I think we could go through to win the playoffs.
@jarkko. 12:00pm BST on Sunday the 14th of May. 😎
@k-p-in-spain Thanks.
I was quite sure about the date but didn't find the time. I suppose all is back to normal when we know the opponents. Then all the normal sources update their pages. Up the boro!
Not long to kick-off now and I'm also worried about the weather conditions - as it's a glorious sunny day over here and I'm currently in shorts and T-shirt so hopefully the game merits leaving my lounger and it's not about Boro saving themselves for next week 😎
Team News...
So Akpom and Archer start but no Howson in the squad or Forss but Giles returns
Looks like Carrick has gone for his strongest available starting XI - maybe he'll hope to seal the game in the first half and then rest a few players for the play-offs!
Well done MC for following my advice and putting your strongest team out. 😋
1. Coventry have NEVER won at the Riverside Stadium losing 9 times in 12 visits. As Boro have scored 3 goals in 6 of their last 8 matches at the Riverside this season, one might expect that the players will be confident in returning home after two successive away defeats.
I hope that's not the kiss of death!
A first half where Boro lacked the intensity of a team who thought they were playing a real games - some nice passing in the middle of the pitch without any end product. Too many misplaced passes in our own half have given Coventry more chances than they could have expected and indeed one led to a goal. Still Boro equalised on the stroke of half-time but that has now promoted Millwall to our play-off opponents - I think on that showing I'd prefer Coventry than a trip to the Den where Watmore is scoring for fun!
A first half where Boro lacked the intensity of a team who thought they were playing a real games - some nice passing in the middle of the pitch without any end product. Too many misplaced passes in our own half have given Coventry more chances than they could have expected and indeed one led to a goal. Still Boro equalised on the stroke of half-time but that has now promoted Millwall to our play-off opponents - I think on that showing I'd prefer Coventry than a trip to the Den where Watmore is scoring for fun!
Archer in the third minute of injury time, assisted by Mowatt following a corner.
Watmore has so far scored twice for Millwall...
Poor game Boro look slow and ponderous. Equaliser was payback for Coventry fans holding the ball and the ref having to go over to them. Quick Boro corner and an equaliser first shot at goal !
OFB
Coventry happy to sit in and pounce on any misplaced passes and unfortunately we’ve given them one or two.
We have to up the tempo. That will no doubt mean more misplaced passes but Coventry won’t be as well set and it’s our best chance of opening them up.
So far, I’m not seeing an opposition we should be scared of but equally Boro haven’t been fluid.