“Well, well, well. Boro got out of their mini slump and beat Karankas toothless troops 2-0 thanks to goals from Daniel “CR7” Ayala and Downing. We keep our place in the play offs but Milwall are somehow keeping up the pressure. Our next game is already on tuesday night as we go to fellow play off contenders Sheffield United in the first of a number of “6 pointers”. United lost their last game 2-3 away at Barnsley despite leading 2-1 with 25 minutes to go. United are in bad shape at the moment and have only won 1 game in 7 which was at home againt the mighty Burton 5 games ago. They are trailing Boro by 4 points so the onus is on them to attack us. That might free up some space for Traore, Downing, Howson and Bamford on the break which is likely the tactics Pulis will employ.They seem a bit nervous about the game knowing that a loss or maybe even a draw could end their season. They know they are not in great form and their defence isn’t getting much praise. If the players are thinking along those lines too I predict a very tactical game and probably only one goal in it. We really need to get at them and not let their confidence grow. They are in a bad shape and we need to rattle them from kick off.”
“Apart from Millwall all of the other contenders are as equally as bad as Boro in terms of results however looking at the fixtures it would seem likely that all should pick up 3 points though Millwall might not get the 3 points as I feel Bolton desperately need something to maintain their own precarious position.. Absolutely a massive game for both Boro and Sheffield United and falls into the category of THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON………….so far! Definitely a “must not” lose game for both teams. Think it is within us to get 3 points but I suspect a draw will be the outcome”
“It’s a case of an in form team against a struggling one, so of course Boro will reverse the Blades fortunes as we do against any team low on confidence…I’d go with the same Lineup, it seems like Sheffield United’s momentum from their terrific promotion season is finally slowing down. Their left wing back Stevens has looked a bit dodgy in the games I’ve seen him, he wont be looking forward to matching up against Traore.”
“I watched Sheffield United against Cardiff live on Sky the other night and they were very, very good. If we are not at the races here we could get beat which would be a big blow. I’ve seen some calls for Adama Traore to be rested but we cannot afford to do that under any circumstances until a top 6 position is confirmed. Hard to predict the outcome until we know which Boro turn up!”
“This one has got nil nil written all over it as far as I can see. I think both teams will be trying to keep things tight and snatch a single goal, I can’t see either side being particularly adventurous. ”
“I have a feeling we’ll lose this one, our away performances against top half teams have been poor and we aren’t good enough on the counter-attack. Think TP would snap your hand off for a draw and will start too cautious with Bamford isolated. Can see us going behind by 1 then huffing and puffing like we tend to. We’re really not good at chasing games, look at Burton. Best case scenario Boro score first from a set piece or Adama/Bamford does something magic and then have something to defend, as that’s when the team looks happiest (although it is torture to watch as fans). Not trying to be negative just think this is a fair reflection of how we’ve played recently and the likely outcome.”
“Sheff Utd’s last 6 games W1 D4 L1, hard to beat on their own ground as Cardiff found out”
“Sheffield Utd will think themselves unlucky first game of the season which may turn to our advantage on Tuesday.”
“I can’t believe they’re still hanging on in there – especially as Leon Clarke’s goals have all but dried up.”
“Derby and Sheff Utd for me are the two games I worry about. Although Sheff Utd, Bristol and Millwall will have to come at us and try and beat us just because of the state of the table, which opens them up to Adama more.”
“The league been very average has worked well in our favour so we’re 6th on merit at the end of the season your league position is were you deserve to be. I think what’s mainly rattled the majority of fans is that given our resources we should have been up there not worrying about the play offs but if we could manage to get one of the automatic promotion spots, its bloody annoying.”