BearSmog 1,382 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 BeardySmog Matchday Solutions Presents Middlesbrough vs Millwall Kick Off - 3pm The Riverside Stadium 19th January 2019 Intro This is the reverse of our first game this season (whose thread I also authored) and I took a quick look at some of the posts and it seems like little has changed. Same disappoinments in the transfer window, same doubts about Pulis and not clearer on our best XI or formation. Joy. We are, however still in a really strong position in the league regardless of this so plenty of reasons to be optimistic, starting with a very winnable home game vs Millwall. Last Game Birmingham 1-2 BORO Very good result against a team very much exceeding expectations this season. Goals from Wing and Britt were enough despite a period of invited pressure that infuriated some fans, still, 3 points won. Millwall 0-2 Blackburn Disappointing home defeat for Millwall against Mogga's Rovers, followed by more moaning from Harris about their lack of quality and inability to compete with the bigger Championship teams. Change the record. Oh.. He used to play for us... No former Boro players in the Millwall ranks so I am going to highlight a couple of players of interest. Jed Wallace - a target for Boro in the summer and Ryan Tunnicliffe - Moron who abused Patrick Bamford when he played for Blackburn. Beard Watch Some quality facial fuzz on offer in the Millwall ranks (also some gingers, never mind) but the BeardySmog Beard points are awarded to Tom Bradshaw. Good effort son, 5 points. The tip of the Beard Middlesbrough 5/6 Draw 23/10 Millwall 18/5 The bookies (SkyBet) have us down for the win here despite our sketchy home form and I'd be inclined to agree with them. My BeardyTip this week is a 2-1 Boro win which you can get @ 8/1 and if you are fearing a repeat of our last encounter you can get 2-2 @ 18/1. Pre Match Questions I have kept the questions exactly the same as the thread from the first game of the season. Will we have any new faces in before kick off? Will a convincing win make you feel more positive about Pulis and the club going forward. Who do you think will start? Formation? What is your favourite wall? Mill? Hadrian's? the Great one in China? Or any that I haven't named (feel free to post photos) The view from the opposition. https://millwall-forum.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/2018-19-league-ladders-game-32-middlesbrough-away.33601/ Some predictions from Millwall fans Prediction 2-1 Boro, a Wing thunderbolt and a scrappy Saville effort late in the game. Link to post Share on other sites
pokeyjoe 112 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Home performances HAVE to improve and this is the perfect time No reason why we can't dominate a team in the very lower reaches at this stage of the season But I have thought that about most home games 1 No 2 We shouldn't have a lot to be kissed off about lately tbh 3 start Britt and let VLP get some mins in a home league game but same o same o 4 Wall Mart - Love Asda me Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,301 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Looking at the upcoming fixtures this is very close to a must win. Sheffield United have a tough game and Norwich are in bad form. We need to try and take advantage here. I'd play the same team that started against Brum but replace Hugill with Britt. He deserves a start in the league after scoring a few goals lately. We played very well in the first half against Brum and if we can open the game like that on saturday then I think we will win by a few goals. At this stage in the season we need to beat a team placed in 20th. --------------Randolph-------------- Fry-----Ayala----Batth----Friend Saville-Clayton-Besic-Howson ------------------Wing----------------- ------------------Britt------------------ 2-0 Britt with a brace. A convincing win will definately make me a bit more assured before the tough run of games in fabruary that will likely decide whether we are top-2 material. Link to post Share on other sites
Foogle 2,104 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Will we have any new faces in before kick off? None Will a convincing win make you feel more positive about Pulis and the club going forward? Yes, although I think Pulis is here till the end of the season no matter what happens What is your favourite wall? I'd say Donald Trump's Wall, it's very much like our Central Midfield: big, expensive and largely ineffective... Who do you think will start? Formation? Britt has got to start in this game, he's best running on to balls and with crosses into the box so I'd have Wing start behind him for support. I'd stick Van La Parra in from the off from the wing, Millwall will sit deep and be tough to break down so I think we need a bit of flare for this one, other than that largely the same as last match: --------------Randolph-------------- Fry-----Ayala----Batth----Friend VLP---Clayton--Besic---Saville ---------------Wing----------------- ---------------Britt------------------ Link to post Share on other sites
Boro Badger 87 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 This team is beautiful: --------------Randolph-------------- Fry-----Ayala----Batth----Friend Saville-Clayton-Besic-Howson ------------------Wing----------------- ------------------Britt------------------ It has the exactly correct number and placement of hyphens. --------------Randolph-------------- Fry-----Ayala----Batth----Friend VLP---Clayton--Besic---Saville ---------------Wing----------------- ---------------Britt------------------ This team is unbalanced and inconsistent in the midfield area. Every club Tony Pulis has been at have improved their hyphenation for the long term and he’s said Boro will be no exception. Link to post Share on other sites
Downsouth 6,328 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 Without doubt the enormity of this game is for all to see, especially if using binoculars. Spot on about this being a must win game as we simply have to improve our home performances and with a real chance of playing catch up and cementing our place by opening a further gap. With that in mind and taking all things into consideration as far as home games go this is THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON...………….so far!!!! We should not fear Millwall at all take the game to them from the off score first and then hopefully enjoy the game. For those of you going to the match...…….you lucky so and so's! Link to post Share on other sites
Tudders80 674 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 No new signings. A 10-0 win wouldn't make me any more enthusiastic about pulis. I expect again we will play with 1 of wing or Tav. Downing and VLP will probably play so chances of 4-5-1 with these two on the wings, hugill up top and probably 3 of wing, howson, Clayton, besic and saville. Holy **** he may not plays either of wing/tav. It will probably be 0-0 After 70 mins and then it's up in the air. 1-0 but can't decide which way. Hopefully we can Nick it Link to post Share on other sites
LBP 3,035 Posted January 16, 2019 Share Posted January 16, 2019 I'd like to see him sacrifice a Midfielder to play Britt and Hugill vs 20th at home, maybe McNair right back instead of Fry give us a bit more pace out wide --------------Randolph McNair---Fry---Ayala---Friend ---------------Clayton ---Howson--Wing--Saville ----------Hugill----Britt Hopefully see some minutes from VLP and Tav 2nd half. Link to post Share on other sites
Notts_Smog 14 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 If he keeps Downing out of the team, plays Wing and tells them to be aggressive from the outset we should have too much for Milwall. Would ideally prefer to see Tav in for Saville too. Link to post Share on other sites
Changing Times 12,347 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 We should have too much for Millwall either way to be honest. We're a better side than them anyway and their away record is pretty bad. Link to post Share on other sites
Old Codger 3,064 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Not sure about playing Saville either....never been a fan of players facing former teams shortly after leaving them...never seems to go well Link to post Share on other sites
Foogle 2,104 Posted January 17, 2019 Share Posted January 17, 2019 Not sure about playing Saville either....never been a fan of players facing former teams shortly after leaving them...never seems to go well Except for when it's former Boro players playing against us of course... Link to post Share on other sites
northern boro 449 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Shotton and Flint back in training and could feature tomorrow Link to post Share on other sites
HoyteForLeftBack 194 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Not sure about playing Saville either....never been a fan of players facing former teams shortly after leaving them...never seems to go well Can he play? What’s the terms of his loan or is it permanent now? Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 2,492 Posted January 18, 2019 Share Posted January 18, 2019 Not sure about playing Saville either....never been a fan of players facing former teams shortly after leaving them...never seems to go well Can he play? What’s the terms of his loan or is it permanent now? It was made permanent on the 1st, but there was no announcement or anything. He can play. Link to post Share on other sites
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