Anybody catch the conference. Any update on injuries?

14 minutes ago, Guffie said:

Anybody catch the conference. Any update on injuries?

Rav could be in the squad 

24 minutes ago, Guffie said:

Anybody catch the conference. Any update on injuries?

Rav is the only one that could make the squad.

Leeds is MY derby. Having grown up in Northallerton the town was originally pretty much 50/50. Then around 84/85 loads started supported Leeds. Drove me nuts. 

20 minutes ago, edinboro said:

Leeds is MY derby. Having grown up in Northallerton the town was originally pretty much 50/50. Then around 84/85 loads started supported Leeds. Drove me nuts. 

I think any Boro fan who lives south of Boro naturally knows more Leeds fans than Newcastle/Sunderland fans. That's what gives it an edge for me anyway, just the amount of Leeds fans that live near me, always nice to get one over them. 

we hate leeds

Is Leeds a local derby or just another ground to play football on?

Not really, just a regional grudge fixture with little love lost between the two sides and their supporters. It is a game with increased importance attached to the result.

With the likes of Burnley and Leeds do those teams have an advantage due to still receiving parachute payments?

Massive advantage compared to the rest of the Championship, but only if used correctly and don't relieve it up the wall in an uncoordinated effort as we did (and Watford, QPR etc.)

I saw a Leeds player go off injured against Derby which might be an advantage to us but did we suffer any injuries against Burnley?

Dijksteel was struggling near the end so may miss tomorrow if his Hammy was playing up. Don't think there were any other problems but we have to factor in Crockliffe.

Who do you prefer to start ELL or Conway?

I prefer ELL as I think he has a more direct approach, Conway to me seems better off the bench, fit and raring to prove a point. Same with Burgzorg over McGree, a fit Riley is great but likely to break down whereas Burgzorg adds a bit of steel and a physical nuisance to the opposition defence in nice contrast to our "prettier" footballers like Doak, Azaz, Ell and Conway.

How important is Azaz now to Boro?

To me Azaz is doing a Rogers thing, fairly ineffectual for most of the season with the odd glittering cameo then suddenly comes good. Great if he can keep it up but he has to do it continuously and not just against the bottom feeders. Before getting injured, to me Gilbert looked more threatening and the better player, now fit again but unfortunately for Gilbert, Azaz has moved up a few gears. Fair play to the lad and whilst happy, I'm not yet convinced Azaz can do it against the tougher opponents, tomorrow night is a good test.

Can you see an away win for Boro?

I have more hopes for this game than I did against Burnley but that might be a misplaced optimistic hangover from the Carabou cup tie. Leeds will be a tough ask but I don't think they are mentally as strong as Burnley and are more vulnerable at the back.

 

On the Leeds forum we apparently have a defensive crisis. Which will play in to their attacking style they believe 

Our regulars such as Lenihan, Smith, Engel, Bangura and Rav all out...

 

Lucky that we can pull together a makeshift second string back four of Ayling Fry Fridge Borges (and still have Djiksteel and Clarke to mix it up tactically however MC sees it).

 

Just shows how little other fan bases know in reality about other teams players etc

Edited December 10, 20241 yr by MarkT73

Other games of interest being played tonight:

Burnley V Derby (role reversal of Boro's last two games)

Sheffield Wed V Blackburn

Sunderland V Bristol City

Tomorrow:

Hu V Watford

Millwall V Sheff Utd

WBA V Coventry

11 hours ago, MarkT73 said:

On the Leeds forum we apparently have a defensive crisis. Which will play in to their attacking style they believe 

Our regulars such as Lenihan, Smith, Engel, Bangura and Rav all out...

 

Lucky that we can pull together a makeshift second string back four of Ayling Fry Fridge Borges (and still have Djiksteel and Clarke to mix it up tactically however MC sees it).

 

Just shows how little other fan bases know in reality about other teams players etc

In fairness, we are missing five senior defenders - almost half our total from the squad - and I think we'd be stronger with the likes of Bangura and Rav fit and playing. Is it a crisis? Probably not, but it's a significant hindrance.

Put it this way, if I knew Leeds had five senior defenders out, I'd be rubbing my hands together hoping LL and Conway could fill their boots tonight.

Also, I don't expect supporters to be experts in other clubs. I couldn't give a rat's how many injuries Burnley had the other night, or whether Hull were on their first, second or third-choice goalkeeper. I don't even watch other clubs that much, tbh, and I suspect the overwhelming majority of Leeds fans base their knowledge of us on what a mate at work says in the canteen, internet forums and Sky Sports News.

Edited December 10, 20241 yr by RiseAgainst

After Newcastle and Sunderland this is the big game and it's kinda a all or nothing game for our top 2 chances win we be 4 points or 5 depending on other results from top 2. Lose it we be 10 points back and the season will all be about the playoffs. Need to really win this to keep the carrott dangling 

 

I heard McGree and LL are in for this one. Rest the same. 

No way Ayling starts tonight. Surely?

12 minutes ago, BoroSmoggie said:

I heard McGree and LL are in for this one. Rest the same. 

Happy with that.

28 minutes ago, RiseAgainst said:

In fairness, we are missing five senior defenders - almost half our total from the squad - and I think we'd be stronger with the likes of Bangura and Rav fit and playing. Is it a crisis? Probably not, but it's a significant hindrance.

Put it this way, if I knew Leeds had five senior defenders out, I'd be rubbing my hands together hoping LL and Conway could fill their boots tonight.

Smith and Lenihan have been out for an eternity and have been fully replaced in the squad.

Engel would be 2nd choice now and Bangura's been replaced and barely played since we signed him, to the point where you can barely give an opinion on him because he played that infrequently.

Of those 5 players, I'd say it's only really van den Berg who's still a genuine regular and we still have plenty of players that can play instead of him.