Boro next

2-1 down and a really disappointing second half performance so far. Just seem so gutless and passive. The pressing has slowed down, the passing has become indecisive, and we’re allowing Boro to run all over us in our half.

We need to see a big improvement to take something from this game.

We could do easily be 3-1 down. This is awful second half.

2-2. If Boro’s first half goal was against the run of play, then so was this equaliser. Penalty coolly converted by Jack Clarke.

Commentators questioning penalty, but I thought that should’ve been given. Low cross would’ve been tapped in by Hirst, but Boro defender was all over him.

Full time and 2-2 draw which was the fairest result. We had the energy, fluidity, and drive in the first half. The second half was far too casual, cautious, and complacent. Big shout out to both Greaves and Taylor - I thought they had very good games. Shame that both Mehmeti and Neil off the bench struggled with the flow of the game.

Take the point, but three big away games to come. Six points out of six against struggling Charlton and West Brom will set us up well - but far from a given considering our away form to struggling teams.

Wasn't quite a get out of jail, and a draw probably the fair result.
Excellent first half, albeit only 1 each, but boro were better in the 2nd half. I also agree that was a clear penalty, so not sure why their complaining.
I know all games are huge now, but a win on Tuesday would be huge...wouldn't want to go to Southampton looking to shut them out.

I was all afloat on a river in Brittany on holiday, but checked in every half hr.
Sounds a fair result. Are we in sqeaky bum territory?

Southcoastoldgaffer said:

I was all afloat on a river in Brittany on holiday, but checked in every half hr.
Sounds a fair result. Are we in sqeaky bum territory?

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Squeaky bum time started in August Gaffer.

What a great game of football. Think its the most entertaining game I've seen Town play in all season. This was more like the side of 2 seasons ago.

First half surprised me to be honest with how well we played. I was expecting Middlesbrough to dominate the ball but we did and not like we have done so much this season just passively passing it amongst the CBs and goalkeeper but we were doing so in more dangerous positions. I thought until the 2nd goal we were unfortunate to be behind twice.

After Middlesbrough scored they were the dominant team and in the end we were lucky to get anything out of the game.

I thought generally there were decent performances across the pitch. I thought Taylor had an outstanding game, probably one of if not the best I've seen from him in a town shirt, surely has to keep his place.

Also first 30 minutes MacAteer was superb both offensively, defensively and in the press. Performances like that show why we thought he's the right profile for that right sided role even if the price tag is still shocking. Egeli came on and continued his very poor performances out there.

Negative wise, I thought Nunez had a poor game. He has moments in a game of real high quality but he gives the ball away a lot and doesnt look comfortable on the turn between the lines, I'm still not convinced he's a number 10. Our transfer policy has confused me in the double pivot the past few years as we appear to buy loads of players who play in the 8 position but it's one we dont have in our team.

Despite loads of our goals coming from Clarke and Philogene, I'm also still not convinced by our left hand side. The cutting in constantly does my head in, it slows the game down and allows the opposition to get set same when Egeli comes on. It also seems like Davis's sole purpose now is to bomb on past Clarke or Philogene as a decoy so they can cut inside. This takes so much from his own game as he doesnt get anywhere near as many assists as he used to and he gets caught up the pitch so much because his first thought is to get forwards and run past Clarke/Philogene.

Glad to get a draw from that one.

Philogene not that good, way too predictable and most teams just double up on him and then he can't do anything. Taylor and McAteer were excellent, Nunez continued his poor performances in the 10 role. Happy to see Greaves back at LB.

First half was good, second half we weren't at it and poor passing put us under constant pressure.

I can't see us, Millwall or Southampton winning all of their remaining matches so it's still all up in the air. The match against the Saints could be crucial. Funnily enough, I'm still confident of staying in 2nd.

San Diego said:

Glad to get a draw from that one.

Philogene not that good, way too predictable and most teams just double up on him and then he can't do anything. Taylor and McAteer were excellent, Nunez continued his poor performances in the 10 role. Happy to see Greaves back at LB.

First half was good, second half we weren't at it and poor passing put us under constant pressure.

I can't see us, Millwall or Southampton winning all of their remaining matches so it's still all up in the air. The match against the Saints could be crucial. Funnily enough, I'm still confident of staying in 2nd.

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Millwall have Stoke, Leicester and Oxford, and Southampton have Bristol City and Preston...absolutely i can see both of them winning those games.
I'm pretty sure we need to win our next 2 against WBA and Charlton away, as if we drop points, then the game against Southampton away will probably be the decider, and I wouldn't fancy our chances much in that game.
I wish i shared your confidence, I have a horrible feeling we'll screw it up,.probably at WBA....but hopefully im completely wrong

We've never quite got the motor running smoothly this season. So the fact that we are still second with 4 games to go should be impressive for us and scary for others. But it also starts to feel like it never will click into gear. We're neither confidently securing our automatic place nor building momentum for the playoffs.

That being said, a team from the East Midlands looking set to win the league and we're try to fend off a charge towards second from Southampton, think we've been here before.

stretchyboy said:

Millwall have Stoke, Leicester and Oxford, and Southampton have Bristol City and Preston...absolutely i can see both of them winning those games.
I'm pretty sure we need to win our next 2 against WBA and Charlton away, as if we drop points, then the game against Southampton away will probably be the decider, and I wouldn't fancy our chances much in that game.
I wish i shared your confidence, I have a horrible feeling we'll screw it up,.probably at WBA....but hopefully im completely wrong

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Well Southampton already dropped points today.

Ignore this,Mod delete if poss