Why everyone should have belief’ – Holden Tuesday, April 2nd 2019 City face a second Sky Bet Championship heavyweight in just three days, with the trip to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium this evening (April 2nd, 7.45pm KO). It comes off the back of an impressive 3-2 win at Sheffield United, with City’s goals courtesy of Andreas Weimann’s first professional hat-trick. City tamed the promotion-chasing Blades and now head to Boro in high spirits, another side who are pushing to secure a strong finish. Saturday’s display at Bramall Lane was “full of quality” Assistant Head Coach Dean Holden explained, and the players are relishing more of the same up north tonight. “I’m sure everyone enjoyed the weekend,” Holden said. “That’s what it was all about. Whatever is in front of us we try to get through that challenge. There was a fantastic atmosphere at Sheffield United, everyone played their part and certainly we enjoyed it. “It was a performance full of quality, we had the end product and Andi scored a hat-trick which is fantastic for his confidence. He works so hard every week and got his just rewards. Alongside Fam {Diédhiou] they worked very hard, as everyone did. “We came back from conceding, showed the character and that we are up for the fight, To go to Bramall Lane with that kind of performance and get that result at this point in the season should fill everyone with huge amounts of belief.” It was City's high impact and work rate which worked in their favour, with Weimann in inspired form to deal the damage in front of goal. No doubt Saturday’s performance will have him itching for more and for Holden, it is that mindset which can help City in their push for another positive outcome at the Riverside Stadium this evening. “It’s a huge game,” he continued. “Middlesbrough are one of the most experienced teams in the division with one of the most experienced, fantastic managers (Tony Pulis). It will be another massive challenge but we focus on ourselves and we are in a good place mentally. “We have to make sure our preparation is just right and we have done that recently; we have got the players feeling good, confident and we will attack them. “That’s what we did at Sheffield United, we tried to get at them early and Tuesday night will be another massive challenge which we are looking forward to,” Holden said. The match is pay on the night for travelling supporters. https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/why-everyone-should-have-belief-holden/ Middlesbrough v Bristol CityMiddlesbrough midfielder Lewis Wing could miss out with the groin injury that kept him out of Saturday's defeat by leaders Norwich. Boss Tony Pulis may make changes after his side suffered their fourth successive loss to slip out of the play-off places. Bristol City could name the same XI that beat Sheffield United 3-2 on Saturday. Victory on Tuesday would see the Robins go up to fifth in the Championship. Match facts Middlesbrough are looking to complete a league double over Bristol City for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Bristol City have lost just one of their last six away league matches against Middlesbrough (W3 D2 L1), though that defeat was in last season's encounter. Middlesbrough have lost each of their last four league games - they have not lost five consecutively since February 2013. Bristol City have been defeated just once in their last nine away games in the Championship (W6 D2 L1), scoring at least once in each game in that run (15 goals). Tony Pulis has lost four consecutive league games in the second tier for the first time since January 2005 with Stoke City (five games). Middlesbrough and Bristol City are two of the three Championship sides to have won more points on the road than they have at home this season (both 27 at home and 31 away; also West Brom). Sky / Prutton's prediction David Prutton predicts: 1-1
“We have to make sure our preparation is just right and we have done that recently; we have got the players feeling good, confident and we will attack them." Sounds like fighting talk to me.
That’s a bit simplistic RR, a win would be massive I agree, but a draw would still be good, 4 points from the last 2 games will still leave us really well placed. I think the following two home games are the game changers added to the Sheffield United win, if we can win our 2 home games Sat and Tues, then we really put ourselves on the hunt, 7 points from the next 3 games would do me.
should we be ultra lucky and secure a win then will the scythe hover over Middlesboro and TP BE LOOKING FOR HIS NEXT CHALLENGE ... it has happened a couple of times to various over the past 2 seasons!
Will we stick with the team that beat Sheffield United, or revert to our usual formation ? Should we go for it , or try to shut up shop and counter?
Interesting lineup , at least we have kept two upfront, I’ve a feeling we’ll be attacking for the run in . COYR
No point in phaffing around for this match so just go for the jugular and take the 3 points back to Ashton Gate.
Good point, didn’t notice that, that’s bit of a gamble, especially considering the luck we’ve had with injuries to keepers recently, I hope it doesn’t bite us in the nether regions.
