A very tight game where both teams cancelled each other out. A typical Pulis team who were like the land of the giants, plenty of hoof, long throw-ins & relying on set-pieces as their bunch of robots pumped the ball into our box. It worked for Boro' as they stemmed Bielsa's flowing style of football, unfortunately, there was lots of head-tennis & we resorted to playing into their hands by crossing the ball in the air with no hope of breaking Boro's solid defence down. We missed Pablo
Pulis is killing football, god help the Smoggie fans having to watch that every week, rather them than me!
Positives
We didn't lose.
Clean sheet against a massive team.
We limited them to one clear-cut chance, maybe a couple.
We competed & adapted to a more physical type of game.
The consistent form of Phillips & Berardi in their new roles
We actually have a young keeper who dominates his box.
The noise within the stadium, great atmosphere.
Negatives
We desperately missed Pablo.
Saiz & Alioski without Hernandez pulling the strings.
Too many balls & crosses played in the air, required a bit more composure.
Only one clear-cut opportunity with Ayling's header cleared off the line.
Scrappy game between the two top teams in the Championship
Poor referee
Bring on Millwall
8 Peacock-Farrell
7 Ayling
8 Berardi
7 Cooper
8 Phillips
MOTM
7 Douglas
7 Klich
6 Harrison
6 Alioski
6 Saiz
7 Roofe