sad to hear j Lloyd Samuel has died. Will bring extra poignancy to the match. Puts in perspective really. Anyway a win for the greatest manager in Hull City's history or a baseball cap wearing preston Rd Chav? I'm sure plenty on here will want the chav.
Match facts None of the previous 15 second-tier teams to win the first leg of a play-off semi-final (current format) away from home have failed to reach the final, but only six of those teams have won promotion. Aston Villa have lost only one of their past 10 home games at Villa Park, winning seven and drawing two. Middlesbrough have won just two of their past nine away games, although four of those have ended level (L3). Steve Bruce has lost only one of his last seven play-off games as a manager (W4 D2). Tony Pulis has only won two of his previous nine away games against Aston Villa as a manager, although those wins have come in the past four trips (D4 L3).
If Villa are knocked out, is it the supposed end of Bruce’s reign? I like SB but can’t say that I’m arsed either way about the result of the match – both big spenders, both big under achievers - although, I’d guess that Boro have spent much more this season than Villa. If either of these go-up, it’ll be bad news for the core of **** clubs at the bottom of the PL, as I’d back both to survive next season in that division..
Pulis needs to get Bamford involved, surely him and Assombalongha working together would be a better idea than relying on Traore who overhits every cross and 96 year old Downing
Every time I watch Downing it amazes me more and more Liverpool once paid 20 million for him . Typical English winger of last 20 years (beckham excluded ) who cannot do a wingers main job and cross a ball
Totally one footed too. You'd think 20 years of training as a footballer would have helped him out with that
I always remember when he played for Liverpool in that friendly when we beat them 3-0?? He had about five opportunities, under no pressure, to hit Torres in the box. Torres was stood at the back post unmarked and he hit every cross along the ground to our defender. A terrible terrible player.
I wonder if Brucey will bring samba on and go three at the back. Cos boro will launch it even more last ten
Fulham going to hammer whoever gets through , boring game , Auf Wiedersehen pet going on the sky planner in 5 minutes if no improvement
