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Sunday 5th January 2.01pm
FA Cup 3rd Round
Riverside Stadium
An appalling performance and result against Southampton ended with no points and two injuries.
There's been no early movement in the transfer market, so we're stuck with what we've got.
Our league form has dropped off, but there's no doubt that we need a result here.
It's our only meaningful shot at silverware and we need something to boost the flagging morale, too.
Can Mourinho get a result against two former Spurs players or will our season end early?
Jonathan Woodgate took over at Boro in the summer, replacing the departing Tony Pulis.
He brought his former teammate Robbie Keane with him as his assistant, completing the Spurs connection.
Pulis had narrowly missed out on a play-off place, but his style of football and expensive signings were an issue.
The fans were prepared for a campaign of reorganisation and consolidation, rather than promotion chasing.
It's just as well, as the new manager got off to a fairly poor start.
The first 17 league games saw them win only two and skirt the relegation zone.
There was some talk of the coaches' job being in question, somewhat understandably.
The next 10 games have been a lot better though, as the team has hit it's stride.
7 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses have seen them pull away from the drop zone and they've won 4 on the bounce.
They'll come into this one on a high and will be looking forward to it. We won't.
No fixtures between us last season, so have a goal highlight video, instead:
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Here's Mourinho's take on the game, too:
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Kane, Ndombele, Davies, Lloris and Rose are all injured and will miss out.
Dier and Walker-Peters return to contention after illness and injury, while Son has completed his ban.
Randolph, Dijksteel, Friend, Shotton, McQueen and Ayala are out for the hosts.
Neither side has any suspensions.
Lineups for each side's last league game:
Spurs: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Sessegnon; Sissoko, Ndombele, Eriksen; Alli, Moura; Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Sanchez, Tanganga, Skipp, Winks, Lo Celso, Lamela.
League form: WWLWDL.
Boro: Pears; Howson, Ayala, Fry; Spence, Saville, Clayton, Johnson; Tavernier; Fletcher, Gestede.
Subs: Mejias, Wood, Coulson, McNair, Wing, Walker, O'Neill.
League form: DLWWWW.
Ref: Stuart Atwell. No VAR for this one.
TV: BT Sport 1.
How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Southampton game?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Boro to go with?
smithy