Middlesbrough vs Birmingham

Saturday 21st October

KO 15:00 - Riverside Stadium

 

Form (Right is recent)

Middlesbrough

WWWWW

Birmingham

LDLWW
 

Admittedly I was apprehensive before last time out, but the second half told me otherwise. Really happy about this squad and interested in seeing us start to grind out results. Time will tell if we've got the consistency but I'm enjoying it as it comes and really interested in seeing how Carrick progresses if he's able to keep this up with the squad.

 

Predicted Teams

Boro

As we're coming out of the international break I'd be inclined to go with the same team that started against Sunderland.

 

Birmingham

Now managed by Wayne Rooney after finishing his stint at D.C United, it'll be interesting seeing him in back in the championship. Not sure what their plan is but this is their lineup last time out:

Insights:

1. Middlesbrough have won their last three league games against Birmingham City since losing back-to-back games against them in 2021.

2. Middlesbrough have scored the first goal in each of their last three league games, after not doing so in any of their previous 12 Championship matches (incl. play-offs). They have won 20 of their last 22 home games when scoring first (D2) since a 2-1 defeat to Preston in November 2021.

3. This will be the first league match in charge for new Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney, who has replaced John Eustace. Rooney won 30% of his Championship games in charge of Derby (24/79, excluding games jointly in charge) in his only previous stint as manager in English football.

 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

2. Best snack under a pound?

3. Rogers or Crooks?

4-0 to the boro

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/october/19/michael-carrick--pre-birmingham-city-m/

There's Carrick's press conference.

Sounds like McGree will miss the match, but Van den Berg could well be in contention.

Dan Barlaser has had a kid in the last few days, so that might play a part in selection.

 

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction? 3-1 Boro

2. Best snack under a pound? Saveloy

3. Rogers or Crooks? Rogers, think he will come good with a bit of patience. Although to be honest I'd move Greenwood central against Brum and put McGree wide

I stand to be corrected by the more well informed stats people on here but I dont think we have won 5 league games in a row since the Aitor promotion season.

Couple of times since then we had 4 wins in a row (including under Carrick last season before losing to Sunderland) and we even had 5 wins out of 6 but I think need to go back to promotion season of 15/16 for 5 on the bounce.

Hopefully Birmingham game sees us hit 5 on bounce. Great oppurtunity.

I would stay unchanged for this game.

Would be tempted to start Lath v Norwich for his pace but feel this is a game for Coburn.

Same 3 behind him Coburn as well, especially as McGree will be short.

Smith, Paddy, Engel and Barlaser deserve to keep they places ahead of Rav, Lenihan, Banguara and Howson

Same team v Sunderland

We'll win 2-0

Pork Pie

Crooks as it stands, though I do think Rogers will turn out very good

Been ages since we had some football. Hopefully we haven't lost any of the momentum or feel good factor from before the break. And hopefully this storm doesn't affect the game.

 

1. What's your score prediction?

3-0 Boro. We tend to give Rooneys teams a thrashing. Although he may not have had enough time to make them terrible yet...

 

2. Best snack under a pound?

Half a tin of Paprika pringles (as the whole tins are usually more than a quid now). 

 

3. Rogers or Crooks?

Crooks for me. Nothing against Rogers, but Crooks is the GOAT (the Giantest Of All Trees)

So the arrival of the Rooney Blues let's hope after the game he departs with the Moody Blues!

There are a few who welcomed the IB stating it would allow time for fringe players to recover and perhaps be included they maybe right but an IB always spoils momentum (unless you are on a losing streak) it seems to me.

Concerned about the weather only the locals know what to expect so is there any danger in the game being called off?

Pity about McGree but we have a squad more than capable of winning this game in front of a well supported stadium for both teams it woud seem.

If we play at fast pace as shown second half against Sunderland Boro will be too much for Waynes world

How good is it to see the return of a match day thread! Hoorah!

The game better not be called off 😡 I’m flying over with two of my sons for this one.

1. What's your score prediction?

 I think we will win 2-1. Coburn and Hackney

2. Best snack under a pound?

A quarter pounder ? 😀

3. Rogers or Crooks?

Crooks right now but I think Rogers will come good for us

Weather looking very iffy, storms today with heavy rain set to continue into tomorrow.

I don't think the game will be called off but you never know

Edited October 20, 20232 yr by Denzel Zanzibar

Whens the last time a game at the Riverside got called off for rain? Doesn't feel like it happens anymore.

Just now, Neverbefore said:

Whens the last time a game at the Riverside got called off for rain? Doesn't feel like it happens anymore.

The way my luck is going at the moment, tomorrow will be the first time in decades 😞 

25 minutes ago, Neverbefore said:

Whens the last time a game at the Riverside got called off for rain? Doesn't feel like it happens anymore.

sunderland friendly did, was mental down pour like and a friendly too, so reckon they added to it being cancelled at half time

The match is not getting cancelled, unless it somehow gets incredibly waterlogged today.

It's not even forecast to be bad tomorrow. 

Edited October 20, 20232 yr by TeaCider24