On the back of the 3-0 win vs Charlton ( which had various viewpoints/ discussions and good ! ) we host promotional hopefuls Boro for our second sky game in 3. This will be a big test of exactly where we are at - is our improved form due to US improving or the fact the 3 wins were vs 3 of the bottom 5 this season? A bit of both really, but I'll take a win all day long. I think we're massively helped by Boro having played in the cup this week vs Everton. Advantage us, especially considering we're the home side. Doesn't give Boro an awful lot of preparation time! I actually think we'll edge this one, maybe 2-1. Hopefully Bru is back in the squad. Appears Bishop won't be AGAIN. No word on McGoldrick or Fraser yet - would love Ryan back for the MK game. He's been a massive loss, surely one of the best 2 / 3 wingers in this division. Thanks Bournemouth! Can Gerken continue his form from Charlton, or will we rue him in net? Is Knudsen going to improve?! Line up - Would guess the same as at Charlton. COYB.
I am keen to see this game, putting my money where my heart is! So, up to Suffolk we go! Anyone up for a pre-match drink? I will need one after a 160 mile drive! 2-1...cracking game, and I end up hoarse! COYBs
Loving the optimism lads Can see this being a tight one, but think we,ll nick an early one and do our shut up shop routine Nugent to score
Everything is in our favour for a good result..Boro played in midweek, we're in good form scoring goals, we're at home, but I just think that Boro are a bit stronger than us. Our defence is still dodgy, and we all know about our record in front of the cameras. I agree with our Boro friend above, can see them scoring first and then shutting shop. I hope i'm wrong and we continue our form though. Will be some good battles all over the park. Murphy v Ayala, Nugent v Berra and Adomah v our full backs. Both Knudsen and AMN need to be on top form to stop their wingers.
Agree with the first two battles mentioned mate, Murphy,Ayala,Nugent Berra, but forget about Adomah imo He just hasnt been performing for the last few games, seems totally uninterested Was at Huddersfield last week and they were walking past him, Nsue had to clean up after him on the right a few times Wouldnt be surprised if hes been told he is going out on loan , so his head is down??
Oh **** I forgot Boro have Nugent who scores literally every damn time at our place. Not remotely worried about Adomah - he's a mercenary - gets a deal then doesn't give a toss. Same at Bristol City, plays for the ££££. Honestly fancy us to edge this - don't think the cup will help Boro this week.
Likewise I fancy us to edge this as it's a night game at PR. Think it's been a long while since we lost one of those. Boro are strong but we're in good form too. Looking forward to this one.
4-1 Dont ask me why, i just fancy our forwards to really turn it on tonight and get a shock result!! Maybe its all the alcohol from yesterdays birthday celebrations that is messing with my head!!
Boro Fans’ Thoughts on ITFC and the Game “The most important match this week is on Friday at Ipswich”, “Ipswich will be at full throttle so we need to be too”, “Ipswich will pose different problems to us than Huddersfield. We barely landed a punch on them last season at their place so we do need to improve on that.” “I tend to write off games at Portman Road. One of life’s certainties”, “I expect nothing from the game, players rested or not.” Boro’s forums don’t run prediction threads, but most fans would gladly settle for a draw given their recent track record in this fixture - they haven’t won here since 1993. “Hand on heart and with the full backing of historical results, I would be delighted if we took a point at Ipswich next Friday”, “I would take a point from the Ipswich game now. We play Tuesday and then Friday and have two days off. Ipswich have the full week to rest and prepare for the game.” Their optimists are hoping that the team will be motivated to keep their top two place. “With us playing Ipswich on a Friday night and at a place where we usually struggle, everything says we will struggle to get a point. I just have a feeling we will go there and get a win but I’m not sure why.” They had some interesting thoughts about Daryl Murphy during their Hull game when we were playing at Rotherham on the same weekend. “Elsewhere Daryl Murphy, who apparently isn’t a one season wonder has scored his first this season after 17 games.” “To think we offered £4 million for Murphy shocking”, “I am glad we didn’t get him this summer. Imagine on this forum if he hadn’t scored to far this season. It would be in meltdown”, “Daryl Murphy seems to have found some form again. If we stop him, we stop Ipswich.” One Boro fan has done some homework. “This could be a banana skin for Middlesbrough. I watched Ipswich tear apart Charlton last weekend and I can see them troubling Boro. They could just have the edge here. Ipswich are unbeaten in six games and are as good as the teams at the top anyway. “Statistics show that Ipswich have had more shots on goal than any other team in the Championship and they have gone through a period where everything the opposition has hit has gone in. Ipswich are coming back strong. It's typical Mick McCarthy, who is doing a magnificent job with no money.” They have picked up on one other factor which might affect the game: “Nugent has a great record at Ipswich [nine goals in seven games on Suffolk soil, while overall he has netted 14 in 13 matches against the Blues], I think they just said on the radio he has scored every time he has played at Portman Road.”
That is one scary, and amazing stat, that Nugent has scored in EVERY game he's played at PR. We need someone to break his leg in the first minute!
Well, good evening all, I have arrived here in old Suffolk after 4hr bloody marathon drive...and am very excited about tonights match. I dont get up to many these days. Just cleaning my studs to wander aimlessly onto the pitch to nobble Nugent!! Blame it on the Adnams, o.c.c.i.ffer! If we grab the first, and the crowd are rocking, I too think we could see an upset. Will go for 2-1.....and McG coming on for his usual cameo flightiness and nothingness. Cue he scores! Enjoy the sky.....win this and we are back in top 6! COYBs
Knudsen scares me, i just dont rate him, always stands off and lets wingers get crosses in!! Playing ok, plenty of fight, just need a bit of quality in final third!! What has happened to Oar, not even sub!!
