Nothing to fear (4 Viewers)

Danceswithhorses

Well-Known Member
As posted previously on SBT, in the regular season games between the 4 playoff teams, we got the most points...nothing to fear.
In our 2 games against Middlesboro this season, we got 4/6 points...nothing to fear.
In our last game, Middlesboro were nothing special, and if Hamer hadn't lost concentration for a split second at the corner, we'd have done the double over them...nothing to fear.
Ignoring the aberration of the bizarre Stoke result, our form in last 16 games has been excellent...Middlesboro's form has been patchy....nothing to fear.
Now all the above, certainly doesn't guarantee a win, but it does means the team should be confident in their ability and it should help them banish any self doubts.
 

Paxman II

Well-Known Member
Lots of ways to spin this. Luton are a gritty side and do not lose easily. Sunderland have defied logic tbf. Just up from the championship but you can't dismiss a side full of confidence as they are.
Middlesborough since Carrick have been consistently good. Much better than when we beat them early in the season. Akpom has been a revelation as has our own Gykores. They have already made the playoffs when we went there so they could be excused for not going fully at it. There possession stats were good, and we must counter that. We will need a cushion in the home game before heading to Boro' under the lights for the decider. Don't think this will be easy. We need Gykores to find his goal touch if we are to make the final.
If we make the final, we win it. Our best opportunity is the fact Boro' have some injury concerns to a couple of key players and a slight dip in form. But form means nothing in one off games like this. I think a lot will depend on MR's team selection in each game. Sheaf fit must play surely? Eccles has made good contributions but I sense he would be the lucky loser. Get a two goal lead to take up there and we can pack the midfield with just Gyokeres up top and get the result we need. Anything less than a 2 goal lead and we will need to be at our very, very best up there.
 

Brighton Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
My gut feeling says a Boro v Sunderland final with Boro to win overall. If we can beat them over two legs though, I’d back us at Wembley.
 

procdoc

Well-Known Member
Bori are a good side but so are we. The playoffs have always been a lottery. I don’t fear any of the teams, just got to ensure we play at our best over two legs
 

harvey098

Well-Known Member
I honestly think our fans play a huge part in this too tbh. Other teams will also have big numbers but they don’t have the noise we create. We have always done well in the important games since Robins’ return.
 

Travs

Well-Known Member
My gut feeling says a Boro v Sunderland final with Boro to win overall. If we can beat them over two legs though, I’d back us at Wembley.

I would agree with this.

I know we're a counter-attacking team and don't necessarily need to dominate possession.... but i don't see us shutting out a quality side like Middlesborough across two legs, and think they'll have just a little too much for us.

(i shouldn't need to say this, one would think it was obvious.... but i hope i'm wrong)
 

Offhegoes

Well-Known Member
It's dangerous for Boro that Vik has had a slight downturn in form in the last few games apart from the pen he wrestled from Godden againt Brum. Hopefully saving his best form for these final 3 games.
 

SleepyGinger

Well-Known Member
I’m thinking Boro Luton final. I think people are underrating Luton who have been top four forever and overestimating Sunderland cos of their fans. And I’d want Luton to go up.
Yeah I’d be very surprised if it’s not Luton in the final
 

Astute

Well-Known Member
We have the beating of Middlesbrough over 2 legs. Their style of play suits us. They also have a few injuries.

Would prefer Luton in the final. Our defence should hold them and the big pitch would suit us going forward.
 

fatso

Well-Known Member
We have nothing to fear as long as we can overcome our annoying habit of fucking it up when we get to the big games.

Keep our heads and we've got it.
 

shmmeee

Well-Known Member
One thing I’m worried about is their pace means we have to be quite cagey. I hope the fans realise that and don’t get antsy if we’re ceding possession and counter attacking at home.
 

RoboCCFC90

Well-Known Member
Sunderland are the most in form team at the moment coming into the playoffs. They've won one more game than both us and Luton. Boro have dropped off recently, but they've had injuries to some of their better players.

Boro have scored most goals in the last six, one more than both us and the mackems. Three more than Luton, but are missing Forss and Ramsey.

City have the meanest defence conceding one goal less than Luton, two less than Sunderland and a lot less than Boro

All games will be very close, I fancy us against Boro, but the final could go either way.
 

Astute

Well-Known Member
What is their injury situation any news or details. My guess it’s not as bad as being hinted.

It isn't just fresh knocks.


Players that have been out for a few games won't be up to speed with the way they play. Exactly the same for us. Both sides play high energy football.

Look at us as a team. At the start of the season we were behind on fitness through not playing as much as the other sides. But once the fitness was in place we went on a run. Then we stopped for the world cup. We were shite again. But once our fitness was back we went on a run again. Only 1 defeat in the last 17 games now.
 

TomRad85

Well-Known Member
Honestly if Vik and Hamer are on song all we really need is the other 9 players to be solid/not shit. Its been that way for weeks now, getting better and better.

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TomRad85

Well-Known Member
Sunderland 4 defeats in the last 17 games including against us and lost 5-1 to Stoke. Another 6 were a draw. 7 wins.
Yeh they have some tricky players up top but they can be got at. I think we'd just out score them tbh.

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Astute

Well-Known Member
Yeh they have some tricky players up top but they can be got at. I think we'd just out score them tbh.

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I think Luton will have a bit too much for them. And they're not very good at home. A bad result at home in the first leg will make it difficult to come back from.
 

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