Match Day Thread Middlesbrough v Southampton, Saturday, 09th May 2026, 12:30 KO - Live on Sky TV

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He's definitely a level down on Stephens and i think thats shown in the increase in goals conceced.

It's not just that though, the partnership between Harwood-Bellis and Stephens has become close, they seem to know each others play very well. However, Wood has done OK when he's come in, he's speedy over the ground, always gives 100% and is normally strong in the tackle

Think having the home game second could be critical for our progress and if we advance, I fancy us strongly in the final due to prior Wembley experience albeit avoidance of injuries/suspensions
 
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Wood has mostly done well since coming into the team, had some brilliant performances against Arsenal and Man City, but he just never looks comfortable with the ball at feet and is slow to react. I know there were multiple mistakes in the lead up to Ipswich first goal against us, but Wood was the favourite to win the loose ball, and my god it took him an age to react, which meant that by the time he did react and start moving toward it, the Ipswich player beat him to it and then he wasn't in a position to try and block the shot either. We did look leggy that game though being post Wembley, so you can cut them some slack. Stephens is liable to mistakes like that too, but overall he's better than Wood and seemed to form a better partnership with THB. We've been conceding more goals recently with Wood in the defence, albeit that's also been without Downes in front of them..
 
2 days out and the nerves/excitement are building now!

To be honest I’m way more nervous than excited about this game. Really hoping that the players turn around our recent North East performances and results.
A Coventry esq away perfomance would be ideal for this game.
 
I would also say the ‘pressure’ games we didn’t win. Pompey away, Bristol City and Ipswich at home?


We didn’t buckle under pressure against Ipswich, we just came up against a very good side. As for Pompey, derby’s you can safely ignore. And Bristol City, well, you can’t win every game; not even Man City or Arsenal can do that.

The last two cup games showed how well this side have responded to the big occasion.
 
To be honest I’m way more nervous than excited about this game. Really hoping that the players turn around our recent North East performances and results.
A Coventry esq away perfomance would be ideal for this game.
Have some faith in the Tondabot! He's spot on when he said we're a completely different side now to the one that got thumped up there in January. Even in that game we should have been ahead at HT. A lot of Saints payers will be determined to right the wrongs from that day.