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Boro v Spurs (FA Cu...
 

Boro v Spurs (FA Cup Fifth Round)

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Boro disappointingly came up short at the weekend against relegation-threatened Barnsley. The Tykes had found some form of late but Boro headed to Oakwell in confident mood and expecting to come away with something. However, a first half horror show including three sloppy goals conceded was too much for Boro to overturn this time.

With Matt Crooks suspended and first reserves Riley McGree and Martin Payero both unavailable, Chris Wilder shuffled his midfield a little. James Lea Siliki made a rare and unexpected start but rather than a straight swap into the more advanced midfield roles, Chris Wilder made what he might now reflect on as a rare mistake as he pushed Jonny Howson further forward and asked Siliki to fill in in front of the back three.

Barnsley had done their homework and pushed up against Boro’s back three and Siliki, with the rejigged unit unable to play their passing game from the back and having no joy with longer balls forward. Worse still, Boro’s backline looked all at sea when defending and after the game, Wilder commented that he’d have liked to replace the entire back five at half time if he could have. A second half fightback was too little too late and Boro’s Championship away day woes continued.

However, we can momentarily put that to one side as Boro’s next game is back at fortress Riverside in the FA Cup fifth round.

Boro’s reward for toppling Manchester United in the fourth round is a home tie with Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur, to be played on Tuesday evening with an unusual 7.55pm kick-off.

It’s been an inconsistent season for Spurs. Sitting seventh in the Premier League with games in hand on some of those above them doesn’t sound too shabby but serial winner Conte was expected to take them to new heights. As the season has progressed, however, it’s perhaps become clear that it will be a longer-term project for the impatient Italian.

Their form this calendar year in all competitions reads P12 W5 D0 L7, with the fantastic win away at Manchester City followed four days later by defeat at Burnley perhaps summing up where they are as a team right now: brilliant on their day but unable to consistently find their top gear – typical Spurs!

The FA Cup is now the only trophy that Tottenham can realistically win and whilst Champions League qualification may be their owner’s top priority, expect Spurs to be full-strength and up for what they will feel is a very winnable game at the Riverside.

Full-strength for Spurs may not look quite as daunting as a full-strength Manchester United did but the North Londoners still carry some big-name players. A front three of England captain Harry Kane, direct, pacy and composed Korean Heung-Min Son and lively January recruit Dejan Kulusevski is more than enough to worry any defence and Boro will need to play on a completely different stratosphere to what we saw at Oakwell to keep them contained.

That said, Spurs most potent attacking weapon has been the fast counter and it may be, just as it was at Burnley last Wednesday, that being the side in possession suits them least.

Wilder’s selection worries should diminish a little with Matt Crooks available once again and McGree a possibility also. If that is the case, it will be interesting to see if Tavernier is shifted to left wingback or whether the Boro boss will favour the more natural defender in Neil Taylor. With the midfield more settled again, Boro’s main concerns will the usual ones of hoping the keeper avoids a malfunction whilst also hoping that the strikers take the few opportunities that come their away.

Still, the FA Cup is a bit of a free hit for Boro with positives and negatives to take from any result whether that be the chance to focus solely on our main objective in the Championship, or the confidence boost another big scalp can give the team. Let’s just hope there’s no extra time and everyone comes through injury and suspension-free.


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Thanks Andy for your starter. 

For me this is a money earning exercise as I do not believe that underdogs can win the FA cup any longer. 

Objectives are to not get thumped and that all players come through unscathed.

I would have traded a defeat tomorrow for three points at Barnsley but that is now water under the bridge so a defeat and three points against Luton would be an acceptable alternative; unfortunately things do not work like that and I just hope that if we do lose tomorrow it does not impact on Saturday’s performance. 😎

 


   
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Great Post Andy straight to the point and expresses the thoughts of all Diasborians.

Much Appreciated

 

OFB 


   
Liked by 4 people: K P in Spain, lenmasterman, Andy R and Malcolm
 
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Martin Bellamy
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Suddenly the Spurs game seems like a massive distraction. Obviously I’ll watch it and hope for the best, but I’m struggling to focus on the football at the moment, partly because of the war in Europe and possibly because we’re both still feeling the impact of catching Covid over two weeks ago. 
A win may go some way to cheering me up, I guess. 

PS - a big thanks for the opener, Andy. 

This post was modified 2 years ago by Martin Bellamy

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Andy - thanks for the opener.  A nice read.

Martin - I agree it is difficult to concentrate on the football.

Barnsley v Boro: the least said, the better.  Hopefully Chris Wilder has said what needs to be said to the players and takes account of that performance when deciding how to play, and who to play, against Spurs.

Spurs game - it IS a distraction but a good performance should encourage players and supporters for the league fixtures to come.  A win would be almost too much to hope for, but would add much-needed money to the coffers when others have suggested we should be concerened about Financial Fair Play rules.

Luton - a win is essential if we are to maintain a play-off challenge. A defeat would not end those hopes but would make it MUCH more difficult to get there, with competitors picking up points.

I'd like to win against Spurs and don't accept that we need to "concentrate on the league".  That is the mantra for all teams after they have lost in the cup.  Winning in cany competition develops momentum and confidence in the team and supporters.  But, having proved my inability prior to the Barnsley match, I will not jinx things by making any prediction for the match against Spurs.  I will keep my fingers crossed but, of course, I will be there at the Riverside.


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Thanks Andy. I am still feeling disappointed about the poor Barnsley defeat and can't raise any enthusiasm for the Tottenham game. Just hope we put in a reasonable performance and don't concede early goal(s) so that there will be a good atmosphere for at least part of the match. Our defence will have to show a big improvement, the midfield will also have to put in a good backup as well as trying to make quick moves upfield and we must score from the few (if any) chances we create. That's not asking too much is it? No idea how Wilder can manage that!

Four trains each way and a hotel full of Tottenham supporters, two days at home and then back to Middlesbrough for the Luton match. It will be a fun week.  

 


   
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jarkko
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@David Nice support for Boro. Which hotel you usually stay in?

I use a B&B next to the Yarm train station, The Stables B&B at Thornaby or the Holiday Inn Hotel near the Boro Town Hall. Depending how we travel from Manchester. I prefer the B&B's but my wife likes to be nearer shops.

The Spurs game will be on TV here tomorrow. Hope to see some blue and yellow support from the stands in appreciation of Ukraine.

Up the Boro!

 


   
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Thanks Andy for a fine opener

And best wishes to Martin and his wife for a successful recovery from Covid


   
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EXMIL CHALLENGE 2022.

Just for information there is a dedicated forum down on the social area (thanks to whoever organised it) please make sure your entry is in by 1900 hrs on Friday 4 March. 

Thanks Andy for the opener to the Spurs game.

Come on BORO.


   
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OFB, would you look at what you have posted on the Challenge as something went wrong or you started on the red wine a bit early hic 😂

Come on BORO.


   
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Posted by: @martin-bellamy

Suddenly the Spurs game seems like a massive distraction. Obviously I’ll watch it and hope for the best, but I’m struggling to focus on the football at the moment, partly because of the war in Europe and possibly because we’re both still feeling the impact of catching Covid over two weeks ago. 
A win may go some way to cheering me up, I guess. 

PS - a big thanks for the opener, Andy. 

Sorry to hear that you and Mrs B caught Covid. Best wishes to both for a full recovery. 😎


   
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jarkko

I normally stay at the town centre Premier Inn as, even taking into account the included breakfast at Holiday Inn Express, the Premier Inn is usually cheaper. Before Covid the prices were nearer the same so I sometimes stayed at the Holiday Inn but when I have checked costs since football reopened there always seems to be a bigger difference in prices. (I do like being recognised by the Premier Inn staff though they probably wonder about my sanity and feel sorry for me.)

Now that (hopefully) the worst of Covid may be over I will restart accepting my sister's invitation to stay at her house (10 miles from Middlesbrough) once a month which only needs me to buy a bottle of white wine to share.  I had been worried about catching Covid either on the trains or at the match and passing it on to her as she is 10 years older than me.

When I was at the Premier Inn for the WBA match I mentioned that I had paid £97 for room only for the Tottenham match and was told that the final room went for £172! I hope I don't have to travel home wishing I had just watched it on TV. 

The good news for my Sat/Sun travels is that no storms are forecast nor railway engineering line closures. I am also hoping that there are no trains cancelled at short notice because of staff absences which has been happening recently. I am due into Middlesbrough at 2pm. Important that we avoid injuries as Luton are the current form away team.

 

 


   
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Folks, when submitting your entry for this year’s challenge, there is no need to repeat the fixtures only post W/D/L for each fixture, this will save unneeded typing and eye strain 😂. Seven entries received so far (not including OFB) but plenty of time, just don’t leave it to Friday and miss the deadline.

Come on BORO.


   
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So will it be Fat Tuesday for the Boro or will we be as flat as a pancake as at Barnsley. Who knows I think that the only positive will be the Boro's bank account increase. Hopefully Sol Bamba may get a run out although he may be a bit rusty since I don't think he has played since his cameo at Old Trafford.


   
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jarkko
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@David I know the place. Was there once with Len Masterman and Jim Platt for a former players' meeting. 

I had rented a minibus as I was in Boro with my football team from Finland. I was alone to the meeting and had an accident in the parking lot at the hotel. Very tight places and the car was long 😋.

So good and bad memories. Naturally I had an insuarance, so mainly extra hassle. Up the Boro!


   
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MW

I see where you are coming from. We are all great admirers of Sol. But I think it would be suicidal to start with him tonight. His biggest weakness now is his lack of pace. The speed and movement of Son and Kane would simply have him struggling in their wake.

On our defence, I thought that Paddy took some unjust criticism over Barnsley's first goal. He was marking his man. The ball drifting over his head to the far post should have been covered by a conspicuously absent left back.

I think we will have to be in defensive mode tonight. Spurs are a counter-attacking team and if we allow the game to get stretched their front three will exploit the space we give them and we could be 2 or 3 down by half-time. Think about what the Spurs attack did to the expensively assembled Man City defence.

We need to play as we did in the second half against Man United, staying tight and solid as a defensive unit and catching them on the break. The biggest danger to us will be getting caught  too far forward-corners to us may prove to be a mixed blessing- so the role of our midfield three in protecting the back four will be crucial.

It will be a tough test, and we could be out of the game all too soon, but I'll go for a 1-0 win with us hanging on to our narrow lead for most of the second half.

Oh, and Sol might just prove to be an inspired late sub to help bolster our defence against a final onslaught.


   
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I see that after playing out the full match, the FIFA22 computer score prediction for tonight's game is Boro 1 Spurs 4 with Kane getting a hat-trick.

Should be a doddle for us then.

When we beat Man U their prediction was Man U 3 Boro 0

Since they were out last time by a huge 3 goal margin between the teams, it looks like it's most likely, by their metrics, to be another draw with us going through on penalties. 

No sweat then

 


   
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Site Creator
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Thanks for the preview Andy and I agree with you that tonight's match is something of a free hit for Boro. After another busy day (week/month), I'm looking forward to unwinding and watching the game on TV - hopefully Boro will be up for the game and we'll see more of the second half performance at Barnsely rather than the first. We saw how Leeds fared against Spurs with poor defending so I'm sure Chris Wilder will have given his back five and keeper a good talking to. Just hoping for a good game and you never know it could even be another memorable night!


   
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Team News: Sadly still no McGree but Crooks returns and it's Watmore and Sporar up front - the big surprise is that Bola is back on the bench...

Image


   
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Spurs have put out a decent XI too...

Starting XI: Lloris (C), Doherty, Romero, Dier, Davies, Sessegnon, Hojbjerg, Winks, Kulusevski, Son, Kane   Subs: Gollini, Royal, Reguilon, Rodon, Sanchez, White, Devine, Bergwijn, Scarlett


   
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I’m going for a 2-2 draw and boro win on penalties !

I found another spare pair of foam hands 🙌 under the bed. Don’t ask me what they were doing there !

OFB


   
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Connolly injured apparently 


   
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Topic starter  

That looks like two full strength teams to me.

No pressure for Boro. It should be a good game.

I’ll for for Boro 1-2 Spurs.


   
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Martin Bellamy
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Competing pretty well at the moment. It could be a long second half - they look dangerous on the break. 


   
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jarkko
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At least we played better than the first half at Old Trafford. 😇 Or at Barnsley.

Up the Boro!


   
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Sporar needs to get more involved 

OFB


   
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I think we've done well. We know they're looking to nick the ball when we're attacking and hit us on the counter so we're being patient. They do look dangerous. The difference in quality of player compared to the Championship is really marked: we can't get through without taking a risk and that's the danger point.

Noticed that Crooks and Tav are switching sides occasionally. Saw McGree and Tav do that as well. Tav does look happier cutting in from the right.

If Spurs score early it feels like it will be goodnight Boro but while it stays level they may start to get careless themselves.

Lumley had his charge goalie moment. Keeps everyone interested I guess.


   
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Yeeeeeeaaaaaa


   
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jarkko
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Well deserved win. Excellent play and well defended. Eight home wins in row. Come on Boro!

Up the Boro!


   
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Spurs Man U can we play you every week ?

OFB


   
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