BORO v Coventry - Semi Final 2nd Leg 0-1

[SmogDane 4,132 8k]

Or THE SKY BLUES ARE FALLING! 

Riverside Stadium Wednesday 17th May 20.00 hours Weird British time

With an incredible home record Boro goes into this 3rd game v Coventry in 9 days as favorites, no matter what our new Coventry members might say ... 😉 

I am not going to talk about form or last games, because you all know about that and the last two games was against today's opponent as well! But according to the before mentioned new Coventry members, their keeper didn't have to make a save ... 🤓

HERE IS THE SPACE FOR AN INPUT FROM OUR VERY OWN BORO-UNGER:  (We share the title for most consecutive MDT's - so Boro should be in good hands) ❤️ 

Hi all. Boro-Unger here. For my Cameo I couldn't think what do do, so I've come up with some Boro based jokes...

After playing Coventry 3 times in a row, why did Middlesbrough decide to go through to the play off final?
To get to the other side...

What does Akpom use to clean his teeth?
A Chuba toothpaste...

What do you say to Matthew on his birthday? Hoppe birthday...

Knock knock, who's there? Crooks... Well I'm not going to answer the door then...

What does someone going into a greasy spoon cafe have in common with Dael's alarm clock? They both get a Fry up...

Why did the Boro groundskeeper go onto the pitch? To Mowatt.



I wonder what he will contribute, but I bet it will be both informative and hillarious ❤️  (It was not)


Questions: 

1: Unchanged team selection? 

2: Would you start Howson with 85 % if this was an FM game?

3: Will Paddy 'IRON FLAKES FOR BREAKFAST' McNair once more keep Gyökeres in his pocket, next to that massive ding dong of his? 

4: Predict the result and the Boro scorers? 

5: If it goes to a penalty shoot out, who would be your chosen five?

6: Would you rather face Luton or Sunderland at Wembley, if we go there?

 

BU bonus question 7: Got any hilarious Boro jokes?


 

[macapes 2,231 2.5k]

1: Unchanged team selection? 

Howson for Mowatt is the obvious change. Carrick prefers Smith over Djiksteel, so given Jones works better with Djiksteel than Smith, maybe Forss starts.

2: Would you start Howson with 85 % if this was an FM game?

85 percent normally means subbing off at half time, so probably not.

3: Will Paddy 'IRON FLAKES FOR BREAKFAST' McNair once more keep Gyökeres in his pocket, next to that massive ding dong of his? 

Much prefer the hard tackling McNair over the falling over and trying to win a foul version.

4: Predict the result and the Boro scorers? 

2 - 1.  Akpom X 2.

5: If it goes to a penalty shoot out, who would be your chosen five?

I don't have faith in any of our regular penalty takers. Akpom is not convincing. So, no idea.

6: Would you rather face Luton or Sunderland at Wembley, if we go there?

Luton. Mackems play better football, better attack, have the Mowbray advantage and just all round adds an extra edge.  Luton is just another game comparatively. Losing to Sunderland would be a whole extra level of awful.

[TLF10 5,101 6.8k]

1. Mowatt was good but Howson at 80% starts for me. Fores i would keep on cameo for later on if we need him (plus he a good pen taker) Changed my mind on that.

2. Yes as above

3. I hope so as I think that will go a long way in seeing us to victory

4. Chuba, Forss (subbed on), Paddy, Mowatt (think he took all set pieces at previous clubs and has a reliable left peg) and Howson. I would habe said Archer but think he will have been subbed off by then

5. Luton without any hesitation 

[TeaCider24 15,022 20.2k]

1: Unchanged team selection? 

I'd say so, I can't see any of players coming back from injury being fully up to speed and I think most of the team played well yesterday.

2: Would you start Howson with 85 % if this was an FM game?

I would, but I don't think he'll be ready for Wednesday in real life.

3: Will Paddy 'IRON FLAKES FOR BREAKFAST' McNair once more keep Gyökeres in his pocket, next to that massive ding dong of his? 

I sure hope so, yesterday was arguably McNair's best defensive performance in a Boro shirt, he was superb.

4: Predict the result and the Boro scorers? 

3-1 Boro, Akpom and Archer x2.

5: If it goes to a penalty shoot out, who would be your chosen five?

Archer, Akpom, McNair, McGree and Mowatt.

6: Would you rather face Luton or Sunderland at Wembley, if we go there?

Luton, I've been very unimpressed by them every time I've seen them whilst Sunderland are capable of scoring good goals.

 

[diggerlad07 3,840 2.6k]

Coventry staying at Jury's Inn tomorrow night. Anybody got any fire works?

[Downsouth 7,333 37.5k]

Great OP @SmogDane and thanks for the contribution from @boro-unger

Because this takes place in 60 hours time the away leg thread has been moved but still accessible for further interaction and this game is now the one and only thread that matters.

In terms of home games my seldom used phrase applies and without the .......so far!!! we are here guys and gals THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE SEASON.

The interest in this forum continues with another new Coventry fan wanting to add his two pennies worth so please welcome @skybluedreamer to the forum. Our other Coventry guests have added some decent banter in a respectful manner towards oneBoro members and their input has been appreciated, so come on Coventry FC supporters continue to do so in this second round where we know what is required by both of our teams to get to Wembley.

Will add more later but I have a feeling that we are going to witness something special on Wednesday night.

[sanddancer 2,043 6.2k]

It’s a one off very, very important valuable game and we have played them over two games and it’s stalemate. 

Like others I have opinions on selection and tactic but like others it won’t mean much and I will leave it with Carrick.
It’s now about showing emotions supporting the team, shirts, flags, noise, togetherness in numbers to carry us over the line. 

[Duvel 2,446 5.6k]

We'll win 2-0 without troubling their keeper all night. 

[Downsouth 7,333 37.5k]

2 minutes ago, sanddancer said:

It’s a one off very, very important valuable game and we have played them over two games and it’s stalemate. 

Like others I have opinions on selection and tactic but like others it won’t mean much and I will leave it with Carrick.
It’s now about showing emotions supporting the team, shirts, flags, noise, togetherness in numbers to carry us over the line. 

Succinct and to the point terrific post SD

[sanddancer 2,043 6.2k]

14 minutes ago, diggerlad07 said:

Coventry staying at Jury's Inn tomorrow night. Anybody got any fire works?

Got some air horns, tin lids and police department number. I’m sure there is a report of a drugs deal going down on the same night.  

[edinboro 1,152 1.8k]

I would be tempted to leave the team as-is but I think tiredness and returning players might change that. If Mowatt and McNair are OK they were the best on the field yesterday. McGree seemed to tire. Do we think Ramsey might have a chance? It might be a gamble worth taking - I wonder if Villa get a say in whether he plays.

Archer was quiet yesterday but I imagine he will keep his place. 

It's so difficult, again I think the first 20 mins will be decisive. If we keep it calm like yesterday I think it should serve us well.

We can only hope our best on the night is good enough.

On balance I think we want Luton at Wembley but then I was thinking back to when Wimbledon beat Liverpool. They coped with the pitch pretty well from memory. But I don't think the Mackems have 11 fit players anyway so I think Luton are favourites, even if the bookies don't think so.

[Rob 5,652 8.7k]

8-0 to the boro (owed 4 goals from the first leg)

[sanddancer 2,043 6.2k]

22 minutes ago, Rob said:

8-0 to the boro (owed 4 goals from the first leg)

Go Rob… I can only wish and before half-time please so I can relax and watch the second half without any stress.  

[Redcar Rioja 7,374 7.3k]

1: Unchanged team selection? 

I think we should stick with what we had out there on Sunday. Defensively solid and we asked a few questions at the opposite end of the pitch and unless others are 100% fit I wouldn't risk them even Forss just yet despite his 25 minutes.

2: Would you start Howson with 85 % if this was an FM game?

Mowatt done well and I don't think we missed Jonny that much albeit if he is 100% fit then I guess he will probably start but there is no need to risk him. I don't want to see Boro do what they done with Bamford a few season's back and play him half fit and prior to that Ravanelli when he was nowhere near fit for a Cup Final. 

3: Will Paddy 'IRON FLAKES FOR BREAKFAST' McNair once more keep Gyökeres in his pocket, next to that massive ding dong of his? 

Even if Fry is deemed back to full fitness I wouldn't change it. Paddy has had the hoodoo over Gyökeres for two games now and has a developed a good understanding with Lenihan over these last few games. Confidence and trust is in full swing between them so for me Paddy is a nailed on starter for this one, the shirt is his to lose.

4: Predict the result and the Boro scorers? 

I'm going with 3-1 to Boro, Chuba two and Archer. Cov will have to push a bit harder and with home advantage that plays into our game plan. Trying to keep a clean sheet against us and playing for penalties over the entire game isn't going to work with the atmosphere and the Home crowd baying for blood every time there is a foul or challenge. The pressure on the Officials will be immense. At the Riverside a few of those tackles on Chuba and Jones would have been yellows which in turn limits the fouls and shirt pulls later on.

5: If it goes to a penalty shoot out, who would be your chosen five?

Chuba, Archer, McNair, Howson/Mowatt, McGree

6: Would you rather face Luton or Sunderland at Wembley, if we go there?

I'd rather face Luton as we owe Morris one for his diving plus with the open spaces at Wembley we would play them off the pitch. Their one dimensional bully boy tactics would be an affront to the senses of an independent football fan let alone Boro fans. Sunderland would be an incredible atmosphere plus the football would be a joy to watch, my only concern about the Makems is whilst I think we would beat them 9/10 times with the Mogga hex he could put a team of Girl Guides out and somehow get a result against us! 

[SmogDane 4,132 8k]

Back when Neil Warnock was the manager for us ... He wanted the players to be defenders that could score goals ...  

So he went to his old pal Tony Pulis, who was giving private lessons to Aden Flint ...  

Warnock asked Pulis .. How to you get them to score? 

I keep their brains fresh with a little question once in a while .. said Pulis as he waved for Aden Flint to come over to them. Pulis then asked Flint ... It is not your brother, but it's still your father's son, who is it ... It's me, said Flint ... 

That's how I keep players sharp, said Pulis ...  

Warnock went back to Rockliffe and found Lee Peltier training ... And he asked him that same question, but Lee couldn't answer it .. 

Then Warnock said, I will let you play tomorrow, if you can answer the question when we meet up! 

The next day Warnock asked again, it's not your brother, but still your father's son, who is it? 

It's ME, said Peltier ... 

No, Stupid ... It's Aden Flint, Said Warnock