Match Thread Middlesbrough vs Coventry City Play off Semi final 2nd leg Match Thread - Wednesday 17th May (9 Viewers)

[Boosh]

To the Godden knockers we need to remember that it was his worldie a few weeks ago that put us in playoff contention in the first place. He's played in a few games where Robins would probably have preferred a box midfield because we haven't had the players. It is quite possible that Allen might be needed in a more defensive midfield role if Eccles and/or Hamer/Sheaf don't make it. Unfortunately that is the way it is with a small squad. Boro showed us yesterday what depth on the bench can do, whereas we could only muster one enforced sub.. With Godden on the pitch we need to be getting balls in to him - as Sky pointed out yesterday, with our deep m/f, passes have to be inch perfect (which of course they rarely can be) if they are going to trouble defenders. Haaland would have been in exactly the same position. We need to be getting the ball wide and making good use of it. Bidwell isn't brilliant but he has defensive qualities, Cuffy on the other hand just doesn't look like creating a goal at the moment.

The hatred towards someone who almost single handedly scored the goals to get us into the championship and has then had to adapt his game to get us into the play offs is embarrassing.

 

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[David O'Day]

I don't really see how tbh, it was a dull as fuck game as a one off but we're decent away from home and like to hit on the break anyway. Struggling to see how this is all over at 0-0, especially as Boro seem to struggle with breaking us down.

Same, it was just a boring game where both sides seemed to want to make sure they weren't out of the tie by the end of the game

 

[TomRad85]

Same, it was just a boring game where both sides seemed to want to make sure they weren't out of the tie by the end of the game

If Robins thought a draw would see us done for heading to the Riverside i'm sure he'd have switched things up a bit, but he probably quietly fancies his chances, as i'm sure Carrick does too.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I deffo watched a different a game to BSB

Not just me my friend. No shots on target all game.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

? he’s played in central midfield with palmer in the team a lot this season

So

 

[Torquay Sky Blue]

I'm amazed how much they play like Carrick played. He's made them totally focused on ball retention (which they're good at) without going for it. The two free kicks in dangerous positions that went back to their keeper proves my point

 

[Boosh]

So

So he is a central midfielder and has been his whole career

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Akpom also had a free header he kindly put wide.

He was reaching for it and just about made a connection. Hardly a clear cut chance.

Kelly had a free header - I wouldn’t call that a clear cut chance either.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Agreed. To not have one shot on goal all game is diabolical frankly and hasn't really been touched upon enough.

When factoring in that Middlesbrough are far superior at home, key players are coming back into the side for them and the fact that I suspect fatigue will probably cause us issues at some point in the game I really can't see us winning.

We had 11

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

It was anathema to the style that’s worked for us this season. My overriding thought during and after was that we didn’t believe we could win. And if we’re like that at home with a full Boddy crowd, away we could well just get tanked.

I really don't see us getting tanked. Middlesbrough for the most part very much struggled to break us down and unless things seriously go wrong I can't see that changing on Wednesday. It'll be a tough game for both sides.

But for the reasons I've outlined I think we'll struggle to come away with a win. If Hamer is indeed not fit that will only reaffirm that view.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

So he is a central midfielder and has been his whole career

His success has come this season further forward

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

We had 11

Read the post.

 

[David O'Day]

If Robins thought a draw would see us done for heading to the Riverside i'm sure he'd have switched things up a bit, but he probably quietly fancies his chances, as i'm sure Carrick does too.

some people seem to think we are as out of it as wednesday are

 

[Offhegoes]

I don't really berate Robins too much for that either as obviously the quality of our bench is severely lacking.

That being said, whatever way you look at it the lack of substitutions is certainly going to be felt by the players on Wednesday. As you say I also think we looked tired yesterday which doesn't particularly bode well when they're pulling their shirts on again in two days time.

Sheaf, Allen, Panzo, Dabo & Wilson Esbrand - I think there's some quality there. Main problem is our injuries to attacking players (Tavares, O'Hare, Palmer & Walker) which restricts game-changing subs Robins can make. Hopefully Palmer might make the bench on Weds.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Not just me my friend. No shots on target all game.

11 shots 5 off target 6 blocked

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Read the post.

I did. Did you mean on target?

 

[David O'Day]

Not just me my friend. No shots on target all game.

Sorry but you are spouting nonsense about us having accepted we weren't going to win the 2 legged tie

Nonsense

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

I did. Did you mean on target?

Yes. Hence why I said on goal.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Yes. Hence why I said on goal.

Ah ok figure of speech well the 6 blocked were on target

 

[Speedie's Head]

He was reaching for it and just about made a connection. Hardly a clear cut chance.

Kelly had a free header - I wouldn’t call that a clear cut chance either.

Kelly got a knock from someone, Doyle maybe, I can't remember now.

 

[Frostie]

More than once they would have the ball in their half, the player with it just standing still for a good 10-20 seconds or so while our players were static and just watching him.

If that is really what Robins wanted from his team then OK, but it was a really passive display.

Yes but that's what Boro want, they want you to press them high up & then they'll pass through you with their quality. Move it quickly & smartly & then one decent pass through the lines & they'll take 4 of our players out of the game. We obviously didn't want to get too involved in that but then at other times when pressed it looked like we could force a mistake from them.

I think it was Oggy who described it as a chess game & it really was.

 

[Speedie's Head]

Sheaf, Allen, Panzo, Dabo & Wilson Esbrand - I think there's some quality there. Main problem is our injuries to attacking players (Tavares, O'Hare, Palmer & Walker) which restricts game-changing subs Robins can make. Hopefully Palmer might make the bench on Weds.

Why aren't game 2s at the weekend? Is it just for ticket sales etc?

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Ah ok figure of speech well the 6 blocked were on target

Well they weren't because they were blocked.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Well they weren't because they were blocked.

Mmmmmmmm I don’t understand

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Mmmmmmmm I don’t understand

Jesus wept. A blocked shot, as long as it isn't blocked by a last man, doesn't count as a shot on target...

 

[Nick]

Well they weren't because they were blocked.

Yeah, can still be on target.

Same as when a keeper blocks it.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Yeah, can still be on target.

Same as when a keeper blocks it.

See edited post.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Mmmmmmmm I don’t understand

Blocked shots aren’t classed as being on target in the same way as hitting the woodwork.

 

[Boosh]

Yeah, can still be on target.

Same as when a keeper blocks it.

Do you ever get bored of being wrong

 

[Boosh]

Think we can exploit the space behind their wingbacks on the counter attack for sure

 

[Nick]

Think we can exploit the space behind their wingbacks on the counter attack for sure

We probably can, get in behind Giles.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

 

[RoboCCFC90]

I said it on another thread yesterday, I feel as if we need to go up to Boro with something, not necessarily to hold onto, but as a comfort blanket.

Boro will come at us with a lot more attacking intent on Wednesday, there fans will be expecting this.

If we can a strong defensive shape and nullify their attacking threats like we have done over the past 10 days in 180 mins, then we stand a great chance!

I'd bring Sheaf in for Eccles. I'd give Godden another chance. Aside from that more of the same. The game will naturally open up IMO.

 

[TomRad85]

The blocked shot debate has 'he's 28 until he turns 29' vibes. Massive comedy potential, keep it going chaps.

 

[skyblueiom]

Feel for Godden, particularly since we seem to have gone long ball. Hes more of an old school striker who relies on service from midfield, which was mainly bypassed yesterday. He was on a hiding to nothing. We also seem to have sacked off the high press which has brought us much success - seems only Godden was trying to implement but pretty tough to do on your won. If we play him we need to mix it up a bit...Vik can run the channels, but we also need to get the ball in the box to give him some sort of chance.