boro-unger 4,248 17.5k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Teams: Sheffield United v Boro Location: Bramall Lane Competition: The Championship Date: Wednesday 15th February 2023 Time: 20:00 Introduction Boro play Sheffield, Wednesday. But not Sheffield Wednesday. The Sheffield Not Wednesday fans will get very angry if you confuse the two. We actually play a lesser known Sheffield team ON WEDNESDAY who are called Sheffield United. Confusing, I know. The Last Games Cardiff 1 – 3 Boro Boro condemned the bluebirds to a fourth defeat in a row on Saturday. The Teessiders controlled the ball yet again, with 62% possession and an impressive 78% pass accuracy. Marcus Forss opened the scoring on the 17th minute, with a powerful reaction finish. Cardiff pulled level only a few minutes later as a slightly underhit pass from Steffen to McNair didn’t meet its target. The ball was squared to Sory Kana who tapped in from close range. Cameron Archer beat the offside trap as he sprung forward to collect a through ball from Hackney and rounded the keeper to put Boro back ahead on 38 minutes. Riley McGoal calmed the nerves as he scored Boro’s third of the night late on. Sheffield Not Wednesday 3 – 0 Swansea Sheffield stretched their unbeaten run in the Championship to 10 games as they put the Swans to the sword (what would the Queen say?!). United had only 41% possesion and a worse passing success rate than Swansea, but were far more clinical where it matters. Goals from Sander Berge, Jack Robinson and McBurnie ensured the blades stayed 10 points ahead of third place Boro. Form (Last 6 league games, latest game last) Boro: WWLWWW Sheffield Not Wednesday: WDWWDW Google Insights - Sheffield Not Wednesday have a 46% chance of winning the game, with Boro having 27% chance. (Coincidentally, when Boro played Sheffield away in March last season, Google gave Sheffield a 46% chance of winning the game v Boro’s 26% chance. They did of course go on to beat us 4-1 that game…) The View from the other side https://www.s24su.com/forum/threads/sheffield-united-v-middlesbrough-15th-february-2023.94121/ - “Arguably, this is the hardest home game that we have left. A must not lose result is acceptable imo.” - We had a must win game against them last season when Wilder was at the helm battered them 4-0, more of the same please on Wednesday. They’ve had some *** easy games, not really impressed and when they came up against Sunderland lost 2-0. This Blades team is built of a very strong and resolute defence which is getting better week on week. Come on Blades 👊🏻 - Although to hear some of this forum you'd think that we are playing peak Man Citeh, because they have Carrick at the helm and have signed Dan Barlaser, but who knows right...? - All I do know is that Hecky and the lads seem very good at getting the job done and more or less every time that one of the supposed top teams has come to the Lane this season, we have wiped the floor with them. Norwich were the only exception, and we should have won that in the end. The Un(ger)-Official Match Preview Sheffield, Wednesday will be a big test for the Boro, with both team's recent form guides a sea of green. Sheffield have the third best form in the league over the last 6 games (after Burnley and Boro), but have not lost a game since 8th Nov 2022 when Rotherham bested them 1-0 at Bramall lane. It will take a big collapse in form from Heckingbottom’s team to allow Boro to leapfrog them into second, but crazier things have happened... Hopefully with Valentine’s day over, and Cupid’s work done, our very own Archer is still flying and will hit the target again. I would settle for a draw, so I’ll say 1-1. Talking Points - Would you settle for a point now? - With three games in seven days this week, will Carrick rotate some players to maintain freshness? - Are the dreams of automatic promotion over if we lose this one? - If you were going to take a Boro player (past or present) on a Valentines date, who would you take and where would you go? 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldManGravz 1,824 5.8k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 (edited) 4-0 win to the Boro! Still waiting for that TOTW player on FIFA so someone has to take the bull by the horns and get a hattrick. Talking Points - Would you settle for a point now? This is a bit of a free hit for us as they play so many of our rivals in the next few weeks. I'd take a point, but I hope we dont go out looking for a point. If we win, it could unsettle them going into a very tough run of fixtures. If we lose, it may galvanise them for the following games so everyone around us drops points. - With three games in seven days this week, will Carrick rotate some players to maintain freshness? I think we will be playing our current XI for Wednesday, I get the need to rest players but this isn't the sort of game anyone is going to want to sit out. Get the win on Weds, then perhaps see what shape everyone is in for QPR. Maybe Howson can hack Sheff United's best player down Roy Keane style and take the red, he gets a few weeks off to get his breath back and Sheff Unired get rocked for their upcoming run in..... - Are the dreams of automatic promotion over if we lose this one? If we lose this, it's not just the points gap that's increased. It could give them energy for their upcoming run and sent our confidence. Id say thatbwould be the end of automatic chances. Win, and doubt might creep in for them.... - If you were going to take a Boro player (past or present) on a Valentines date, who would you take and where would you go? Easy. I reckon Mido knows where the best places to eat in town are so I can just follow his lead. *Actual footage of Mido 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOAM 103 207 Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Will be tight I think, not sure which way it will go. Take a point? No, it doesn't do us much good and would rather go at them to win, even if we lose the game. We may as well get 0 points as 1 point, but 3 will make a massive difference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTG 3,185 3.2k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 20 minutes ago, boro-unger said: Talking Points - Would you settle for a point now? - With three games in seven days this week, will Carrick rotate some players to maintain freshness? - Are the dreams of automatic promotion over if we lose this one? - If you were going to take a Boro player (past or present) on a Valentines date, who would you take and where would you go? - Yes, although I reckon most Sheff Utd fans would probably say the same - One I'd maybe keep an eye on is Jonny. Three games in seven days could be testing for him at nearly 35, he's only a couple of bookings away from that 2 match ban, and we've got Barlaser on the bench who will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make his first start. That being said Jonny doesn't look much like slowing down yet and Carrick seems to like to stick with a winning side where possible so who knows. - I'd have thought so. I already think its a bit beyond us honestly and them winning would put them 13pts clear with a game in hand. Obviously anything can happen in football but they would have to absolutely capitulate. I'm more concerned about us pulling away from 7th and firmly establishing ourselves in those playoff places. - I'd take George Friend to the tomahawk in Yarm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beep 238 272 Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 If we win then catching them is still possible but unlikely. Anything less then its the playoffs for us. Regardless, getting anything from this game will be a bonus, three points would be unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Codger 3,642 4.3k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Yes Yes Yes Wilfie to the Mucky Duck (again) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mj south 654 1.6k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 I hate Sheffield United, horrible club with horrible fans. There behaviour during their win over Wrexham sums them up. That said they are a very solid side and this will be our toughest game of the season but we can beat them 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzel Zanzibar 7,472 14.5k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Echoing the previous poster in that I absolutely hate Sheff Utd and their fans but they're a bloody good team, strong at home and we won't win this. Narrow loss or a 1-1 draw I reckon. I'd take Mark Schwarzer to Nandos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmoggie 4,616 6.4k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Very hard game - a point would be a good result but admittedly doesn't help in chasing them down. Honestly I think they're just too far ahead. Sheff Utd are a very strong parachute side who are a year further into their journey with their manager than we are. Third would still give us an incredible shot at promotion with a second play off leg at home... Fans and players shouldn't let their heads drop if we lose this. Especially considering where we were before Carrick joined. I'd give Barlaser a start if Howson is tired. We might be forced to play this one a little more cautiously than usual. Their defence is very good and they have far more quality to hurt us compared to recent opposition. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaCider24 14,586 19.5k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 2 hours ago, boro-unger said: Talking Points - Would you settle for a point now? - With three games in seven days this week, will Carrick rotate some players to maintain freshness? - Are the dreams of automatic promotion over if we lose this one? - If you were going to take a Boro player (past or present) on a Valentines date, who would you take and where would you go? - In a heart beat, a point would be excellent and help solidify our place in the play-offs. I expect Sheffield United would be happy with a point too, as it would likely all but confirm their place in 2nd. - I think he'll play what he considers his strongest side on Wednesday and rotate on Saturday if he needs to. - Yes, they're probably over if we don't win, and it's still a huge ask to make up the gap even if we did win. - Braithwaite, and I'd take him to a restaurant with very poor hygeine ratings and lots of reports of food poisoning. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzel Zanzibar 7,472 14.5k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Think it could be in our best interests to abandon our usual beautiful football and make this game an ugly one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLF10 5,021 6.7k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 1 hour ago, Denzel Zanzibar said: Think it could be in our best interests to abandon our usual beautiful football and make this game an ugly one? Disagree myself. We play our normal game that has got us a lot of success. We impose our style on them and do not compromise our style to accommodate theirs. If we lose then I rather we lose because we gave it a go. I don't want us to lose because we compromised our style v a team who we should not fear. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLF10 5,021 6.7k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 I was very nervous for our game v Cardiff but I am relaxed for this rather surprisingly. Obviously a draw suits them more but I think its them who are more under pressure as they will not be sure whether to stick or twist. Win and its party time for them but lose and the heat does feel real for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Boro_Till_I_Die 1,284 4.1k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Echoing alot of the views in here. I absolutely hate Sheff Utd. 2-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Boro_Till_I_Die 1,284 4.1k Posted February 12, 2023 Share Posted February 12, 2023 Echoing alot of the views in here. I absolutely hate Sheff Utd. 2-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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