Boro have the best away record in this division and I see no reason why they won't extend this run against Birmingham unfortunately!
Glad everyone's come round to the idea that football is the better topic. Agree with most that Watford is going to be pretty much the defining game as it stands. Obviously it's not impossible if we lose but getting an auto would be something monumental, we'd probably have to win every game after. I think a win against Watford and Ippy would see us carrying the momentum into the final games of the season, and with the top 2 to play us at home, that'd be very handy. I like the style we are playing at the moment because it's pretty flexible. 4-1-4-1/4-1-3-2/4-3-3 give us plenty of options yo attack with. Hopefully Jerome will be back soon, though Grabban is showing what he can do with a run of games, glad he's back amongst the goals and looking lively, his finishing has sharpened up as well. Just feels a lot more positive after that Wolves win.
JWM I'll give you three reasons why they might slip up: (1) this has been the season of top teams bottling it when given the chance to break clear... (2) Boro might suffer an FA Cup hangover... (3) I have a Grant Leadbitter doll filled with needles
Colk - unless Jerome's got a niggle that I wasn't aware of, he hasn't been out. I think Neil has just decided he prefers how we play with Grabban up top in front of Hooper.
Apparently he's had a tight hamstring and that's why he's been coming of the bench lately, rather than starting. I've haven't been at the games this season so have been listening on RN and they've mentioned it a few times. I think they're just managing him for now, but as I said, Grabban has taken this opportunity and is doing very well with it, long may it continue. I'd like to see all 3 upfront if I was being really greedy!
We'll miss this excitement if we do end up getting promoted. Games coming thick and fast on weekends and midweek plus a genuine shot at winning / achieving something other than beating 3 other recently promoted teams to survival. Love this league! I just don't get to see so many games.
I made a comment about this earlier but will try again in more detail. IMO, Carrabuh's initial comment had nothing to do with discussion of football, but rather was a deliberate attempt to provoke the vitriol that followed. JWM was completely wrong to react the way he did for sure and I'm not excusing that for one minute. Carrabuh's comment, IMO, was intended to kill the discussion by provoking an argument. This happens all the time on the Pink'un site and has all but killed that site off for many people. I'm surprised that the mods here take such a one-sided view of this occurrence, because if you tolerate this sort of thing there's the danger it will become indemic on here as well. Most people come on here to discuss football, not to have meaningless arguments. That's my opinion anyway.
I concur Rick and refer the honourable gentleman to the comment I made yesterday at 12.51 which was acknowledged by some members of a similar feeling to you and I and was then dismissed by the very people that it was really aimed at. I would never make a diplomat for sure.
Excellent post cotb and yes our style of play has definitely improved over the last few games. Our next 4 games are VITAL to being in one of the two 'auto' spots and we really need to pick up a minimum of 7 points I feel - fewer than that and we'll be in the play-offs!!
bournemouth are still the ones with the best away record at the mo, but it sadly doesnt make boros form any less impressive. fingers crossed for both of us eh?
Bournemouth have to go to Brentford on Saturday and If Brentford get beat I think it will be their challenge over! A Bournemouth win will also make your position in the top 6 more secure providing you get any sort of result against Watford. I think come the EA Derby the top 6 will be pretty much secure for the rest of the season. Wolves and Blackburn have got far too much ground to make up and I just can't see any of the mid table teams mounting any kind of sustained challenge,
There was a comment on Saturday (on final score) that Blackburn had picked a team for the cup game which had their following league game in their thinking, but as you say, I cannot really see that they can make up the difference unless a couple of teams totally implode. It is funny that some of our posters cannot see us making it to the top 2 but accept that a club from the middle of the pack like Blackburn could break into the top 6. Actually, our chances mathematically are better.
This is a very open league this year with no clear stand out team so it will go down to the final couple of matches but as for the top 6 I think it is going to finish the same as it is now but in what order I haven't got a clue!
I don't think we need to worry about Brentford anymore, so I'd rather they beat Bournemouth. But they've self-imploded with this Warburton decision. I can't see them finishing in the top 6 now. They might still get some good results - they're a good side - but Wolves are the only real threat and we totally dominated them the other day. The current top six are certainly the best six sides in the division and I'm sure will remain so, in which order - as stated by a few above - is anyones guess!
Top Six v Top Six Remaining Fixtures • Bournemouth v Middlesboro • IPSWICH v Bournemouth • Derby v Middlesboro • Derby v Watford • Norwich v Derby • Middlesboro v IPSWICH • Watford v Middlesboro • Watford v Norwich • Watford v IPSWICH • Norwich v Middlesboro • Norwich v IPSWICH
so boremouth only have 2 games against the top 6, I really hope the throw it away just to hear what excuse Eddie Howe uses!
Not sure what the beef is with Bournemouth & Ipswich , can't really say they don't deserve to be up there.. They have played some good Football & +33 gd . What did Howe do to piss you lot off?
