@original-fat-bob. Really disappointed to hear that OFB.
I assumed everyone at the Riverside, barring the opposition personnel and supporters, would be fully behind the team and that the fans would appreciate that everything does not always go to plan.
I could understand criticism if the team/players were not trying but that has never been the case under MC and certainly wasn’t the case on Tuesday; it was a night were some tiredness both physically and mentally caught up with the players, allied to a well organised opposition who executed their plan effectively.
Let’s hope everyone is fully behind the lads on Saturday and that a win will send us all into the international break on a high. 😎
@original-fat-bob. Just seen it on EFL highlights and two players clearly offside!
No VAR just when we needed it. Needs to be introduced at Championship level asap. 😎
@ KP in Spain
Agree with you, though Tuesday’s referee was very kind to Boro and on any other day Boro could have conceivably have lost. The fact that Boro missed their chances was not the fault of the referee and Boro might conceivably been 3-1 up at halftime. In contrast Sunderland were unlucky last night.
Nevertheless apart from the Blades possibility of losing away to Burnley and Norwich, in all of their remaining fixtures they have beaten all of their opponents in the reverse meetings and must be regarded as favourites to complete the double against the same clubs. Football doesn’t always work out that way, but Boro should just try to win all their remaining fixtures as it would be disappointing if Boro were to miss out on a playoff position.
That’s why I’m disregarding looking at league tables until after Easter. It’s far too early to be too concerned about Luton, Millwall, Blackburn, Norwich or Watford at this stage of the season. Even a playoff place might rest on the result of Boro’s final match of the season at home to Coventry, heaven forbid.
... Nevertheless apart from the Blades possibility of losing away to Burnley and Norwich, in all of their remaining fixtures they have beaten all of their opponents in the reverse meetings and must be regarded as favourites to complete the double against the same clubs...
So far this season Sheffield has:
- done the double over four clubs;
- drawn one, won one against one club;
- drawn one, lost one against four clubs;
- won one, lost one against five clubs.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that relying on what the result was in the first meeting this season has little or no bearing on the what the result will be in the reverse fixture and having won the first fixture does not necessarily make you favourite to complete the double.
Arguably these stats, for what they are worth ( and I don't believe they have much worth ) indicate it is 3.5 times more likely that Sheffield will not win the reverse fixture against teams they have already beaten this season, but still to play again.
As every good financial advisor will tell you: past results are no guarantee of future performance...... ( or something like that !)
There really are still a lot of twists and turns to be expected before this season is over. Let's enjoy the ride.
Post Script (and I am now being excessively and unnecessarily pedantic 🤓 ! ) ...
The Blades were held to a draw with Birmingham at Bramall Lane and will be visiting St. Andrews on the last day. So they didn't already beat all of their outstanding opponents ( excluding Norwich [ whom they also drew with at home ] & Burnley [ whom they absolutely demolished 5-2 at home ] ).
Mind you, for all the others they did beat already, I think I am right in saying that was away from home and so the reverse fixtures do give Sheffield home advantage...
I will stop myself now. Promise........ ( 
... 😉 )
@martin-bellamy Trust me Martin. We won't lose on Saturday.
Turns out you were spot on. Now why didn’t I listen and buy a ticket? Or maybe we won because I didn’t. 😉