At least it never affected the outcome of the game. Burnley were well beaten and under the kosh at that point
Quite good results for us, but we can’t focus too much on that - what is quite clear is what we have to do next: win. I know that sounds trite or flippant, but from where we are right now, the next game sets the tone for a whole month without Championship football after that. The table is in an odd way where we essentially cannot climb it with a win, but we can plummet down the table. However, if we win, we should stay in fourth and worst case scenario we will be just three points from the promotion spots because Blackburn play Burnley on Sunday. Psychologically, especially given how poor we have been at times, that feels pretty huge to me - going into the World Cup break.
Anyone who has kept an eye on performance tables rather than league tables will know that Middlesbrough are one of two Championship teams who, like us, have featured consistently in the top four (the other being West Brom). The Readings and Sunderlands of the league come and go, but we three are always up there. At the beginning of October, 'Boro dropped into the bottom three after defeat at Coventry. They are now 16th, helped by a 7 from 12 points haul since Michael Carrick took over as manager (LWDW). Should be a good, competitive game.
