Match Day Thread Middlesbrough FC v Sunderland AFC – Monday 3rd February 2025 - KO 20:00

Le Fee is so good. Skillfull and very fast. He could easily be at Man City. He makes Grealish look like Jan Molby.

 

Please don't mention Molby. He crushed my dreams second half in 92, just decided enough was enough and didn't let us do anything after halftime

 

Soz. He didn't leave the centre circle.

 

I know that's what made it worse, just stood there and controlled everything like a Greggs addicted Valdarama

 

Rewatched the extended highlights, that didn't even show Poveda falling over, by God we were a tad lucky not to be 3 nowt down. Then again they were lucky to have the first stand.

Hackney looks a player. But Dan Neil again has gone from strength to strength, the best example of how good he has been is how little he's mentioned by the usual suspects of late

 

He’s stood there in a £3k Prada tracksuit, he is huge what a character

 

Dan Neil on Middlesbrough Riverside win



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24909895.sunderlands-dan-neil-middlesbrough-riverside-win/

DAN Neil believes Sunderland underlined their promotion credentials with their hugely impressive win at Middlesbrough - and was delighted to exorcise the ghost of his red card pain against the same opponents last season.…

“I think last year at home, I got a lot of stick for that (red card), so I'm happy to do the double on them this year, because like I said, it's a really tough place to come, and we've struggled here the last two years,” said Neil, who cupped his ears to the Boro fans as he celebrated the goal that cancelled out Delano Burgzorg's opener.

“We nicked a point last year. We probably didn't deserve to nick a point last year, but today I thought we fully deserved the three points, and it could have been by more, to be honest.”

Boro's home record this season isn't great but Neil still believes the Riverside is an extremely difficult place to visit, and, not for the first time this season, hailed the character of his side for digging deep….

Neil said: “I think that again tells you how tough it is to come here. The crowd's always right behind us. We came out with a fire show and flags today, and it was absolutely bouncing in the stands. We said that we had to get through the first 20, and we didn't manage to do that completely, but like I said, the character of the squad is unquestioned now.

“We've done it so many times this year, where we go a goal behind and we bounce straight back. So, yeah, I thought it was a really good reaction by the lads, and it shows their character and togetherness. And that away end at the end to get the win to celebrate in front of them.

“I think they probably know that it's a tough place to come to, and it's not an easy place to get three points, and I think if you look at the fixtures we've got left, I think you'd have probably said this is maybe, one of the tough ones that we have to try and get through, especially after the other team's results at the weekend.

“Three points was going to be quite big tonight and the lads took the opportunity by the scruff of the neck and went and won the game."

 

Just WOW

 

I’ve thought this on a few occasions mind

 

He did leave us for a bigger club, Wolves

 

Not responding to you in particular but just wanted to mention this myth that’s quickly becoming a fact with ‘the usual suspects’

It’s not particularly lucky to have a goalkeeper who saved a header he absolutely should’ve saved or have a defence blocking shots. It’s not like we were making wonder saves, clearing shots off the line or seeing them crashing off the woodwork.

As for Dan Neil the best example of how he’s improved is that he’s no longer mentioned over giving the ball away, on the turn, in dangerous areas, giving away totally unnecessary penalties or being sent off for gobbing off at the referee … all of which cost us points.

He's also grown into the role of captain and looks like the midfield leader I’ve benn wanting for years. My only reservation is that, on the verge of a genuine promotion push, he should sign a new contract …

… in my opinion that would send out a real message to the supporters and galvanise his teammates.

 

He was interviewed on the pitch after the game. He did mention that the overwhelming support he had after the penalties " made it easy to sign the contract".

An absolute robbery of a deal.

 

Support like that at Boro definitely makes a difference and the comments from our players seem genuine. They’re not just clearly scripted praise from everyone who signs for Newcastle.

Any prospective Sunderland signing would’ve been watching the scenes at Boro and thinking ‘Hmmm’.

 

Dan and Tommy signing new contracts would cap off a brilliant few days.

 

Yep. Definitely helps.

The open and wholehearted display of support after the Burner game towards Wilson must have made him wonder just who the feck these lot are ! It was not automatic, and I said to our lad at the time that it was a great thing to see, and must be even greater to receive. Job done!

 

I defo think we could’ve easily conceded a few in that first 25 like, think even RLB said we were lucky to only concede 1. Irregardless of that we didn’t because of some crucial blocks or missed chances and we took advantage, coming from behind yet again. Massive show of character. Before this season I can’t remember us ever really coming from behind very often to win, now it’s a regular thing.

And totally agree re Neil. He looked like a captain the other night. Aggressive, always talking, putting himself about the pitch. Showed real passion and another side to his game for me.

 

Especially when people were cheering and smiling through gritted teeth

Any group of supporters can cheer a glorious victory ...

... it takes a special breed to applaud a player you'd like to strangle