Middlesbrough FC vs Charlton Athletic

Riverside Stadium

Wednesday, 11th March

KO: 19:45

LIVE on Sky Sports+

Yes, we did. Whatever were we worried about? Hellberg rested Malanda (briefly) and Conway, and we still won 4-0. Easy peasy. This promotion lark is a piece of cake. Honestly...

Automatic promotion is now in our hands again, as we took advantage of Ipswich dropping points on Saturday. Shame about Millwall, but we're still four points clear of them. I've gone full country for this song, and got a bit carried away towards the end. I apologise for nothing.

Lyrics (Copyright....you know by now)

[Verse 1]

Red shirts

Cold air

Turnstiles spinning

We’re all there

We are Teesside

Hearts loud

One small town

One big crowd

We’ve known

Dark days

Fought our way through dull games

Now it’s

Our say

Boro playing

Our way

[Pre-Chorus]

Every tackle feels like thunder

Every header feels like spring

Look around

We’re putting under

Every doubt they tried to bring

[Chorus]

It’s in our hands

We’re climbing while they’re hoping that we fall

Middlesbrough

Stand

You can hear the future in this call

We’re on our way

Let ’em talk

'Cos we're gonna do it anyway

Automatic dreams across these stands

It’s in our hands

It’s in our hands

[Verse 2]

Old scars...

Hearts stitched

Names remembered on this pitch

From the Ayresome old boys

In the Holgate grand

To the new lads in the Riverside South stand

We rise

We swear

Every tackle

Every tear

This time

Feels near

You can taste it in the air

[Pre-Chorus]

Every shot becomes a warning

Every goal a blazing sign

All those nights of winter mourning

Onto the finish line

[Chorus]

It’s in our hands

We’re climbing while they’re hoping that we fall

Middlesbrough

Stand

You can hear the future in this call

We’re on our way

Let ’em talk

We’ll do it anyway

Automatic dreams across these stands

It’s in our hands

It’s in our hands

[Bridge]

Who said we’d fade?

We just got loud

One steel town

One stubborn crowd

We’ve come too far

To let this slip

Hold your breath

This is it

[Chorus]

It’s in our hands

We’re climbing while they’re hoping that we fall

Middlesbrough

Stand

You can hear the future in this call

We’re on our way

Let ’em talk

We’ll do it anyway

Automatic dreams across these stands

It’s in our hands

It’s in our hands (Oh Yeah!)

Middlesbrough

It’s in our hands

Boro v Charlton, or The Lions Vs The Addicks.

Our next home game vs Charlton looks like a classic Championship mismatch: We're chasing promotion, while Charlton are clinging to the bottom of mid-table like a cat on a washing line. On paper, we should win this comfortably.

"BUt footbALL iSN't pLAyEd On PAPER!"

Yes, I know. And we are probably going to face the dreaded low block in this game, unless Charlton decide to just roll over for us. Technically they're not safe from relegation, so probably not as on the beach as QPR seemed to be - this could be tricky.

Charlton fans are still understandably buzzing after their 1-0 win over Birmingham so aren't discussing us yet, but when they do a MDT will be here.

Talking Points

Starting lineup/formation?

Score prediction?

What the hell(berg) even is an Addick?

4-0 to the boro

Brynn

Brittain ayling malanda targett

Hackney morris

Browne mcgree

Strelec conway

Temptation will be there to rest one or two but i dont thinknwe really have the squad to do that in the positions its really needed (midfield, lb and rb, and now cb again). That morris Hackney duo have to start every game.

8 minutes ago, Rob said:

4-0 to the boro

Remember when that sounded like a daft prediction? 😁👍

Could really do with a comfortable home win to show that it's still possible and that we're not just going to be frustrated by every team that comes the the r'side.

I'd go

Brynn

Brittain Ayling Malanda Targett

Hackney Morris

Sarmiento Conway Mcgree

Strelec

Lots of attacking threat there for a 3-0 win.

1 hour ago, Neverbefore said:

Brynn

Brittain ayling malanda targett

Hackney morris

Browne mcgree

Strelec conway

Temptation will be there to rest one or two but i dont thinknwe really have the squad to do that in the positions its really needed (midfield, lb and rb, and now cb again). That morris Hackney duo have to start every game.

Agree with this team. My only temptation being to bring in Sarmiento for McGree as not sure if him doing 3 games in 6 days is risky.

Taking it as a game by game situation and this has the hall marks of a potential banana skin if we are not careful especially with the mood of all Boro fans.

Thankfully Hellberg will be seeing the same way and should ensure that we go about it the right way.

What will he do about Morgan Whittaker who clearly is the weakest link when you would hope all attacking players are playing to their potential? I hope he is used as a sub because he did not do well against QPR and we really are not in the position to wonder if he will find form next time round.

Could very well be a goal feast but I don't think Charlton have been at the wrong end of a drubbing for a while and they too will want to retain league spot for next season.

Would use Conway and Strelec from kick off

59 minutes ago, boro-unger said:

Could really do with a comfortable home win to show that it's still possible and that we're not just going to be frustrated by every team that comes the the r'side.

I'd go

Brynn

Brittain Ayling Malanda Targett

Hackney Morris

Sarmiento Conway Mcgree

Strelec

Lots of attacking threat there for a 3-0 win.

Yes we do need a home win especially as the last two were a bit of a failure need to be on par with our away form!

Other meaningful games to be played this midweek:

Tuesday

Leicester V Bristol City

Millwall V Derby

Portsmouth V Swansea

SW V Watford

Wrexham V Hull

Stoke V Ipswich

Wednesday

Norwich V SU

WBA V Southampton

Coventry V PNE

Boro V Charlton

Get the feeling that its the front 4 positions that if theres any changes it'll be there other than Malanda in for Dael.
You've got McGree and Strelec both back from injury a while now but minutes will still need to be monitored for the next 2 games.

Kim's no dafty though he will know who's better suited for each game just think other than Conway not sure if any others will start both games in attack

Not much in terms of a MDT on Charlton forums but I did find this quote from a Charlton fan who is giving an optimistic take on things.

https://storage.proboards.com/2021741/avatar/WLkeoXVFMSCkRUFgpJqI.jpeg

17 hours ago dartford36 said:

Middlesbrough - what an impressive team. Just wiped the floor with QPR. Lovely one touch football, excellent ball control and delightful movement off the ball. All players comfortable in possession. 

Hackney a stand out player.

To get anything on Wednesday we will have to be on top form. 

and they will need an off day

I agree that it is going to be difficult but if we are solid at the back, make no mistakes, and we get a lucky break or two we could come away with a 0-0 or a 1-0 win.

Last month Oxford got a 0-0 there and Leicester managed a 1-1. They are not invincible.

A point would be massive, and I'd take that, right now, but I would have taken a draw against Birmingham and Stoke at home and away to Leicester.

It is these games where we tend to surprise ourselves.

4 minutes ago, Howson Enthusiast said:

Get the feeling that its the front 4 positions that if theres any changes it'll be there other than Malanda in for Dael.
You've got McGree and Strelec both back from injury a while now but minutes will still need to be monitored for the next 2 games.

Kim's no dafty though he will know who's better suited for each game just think other than Conway not sure if any others will start both games in attack

He might even be tempted to give Sene a start against Charlton to keep Strelec and Conway wrapped in Cotton wool.

Actually it is quite nice to get opposition fans take on the Boro

4 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

He might even be tempted to give Sene a start against Charlton to keep Strelec and Conway wrapped in Cotton wool.

Hellberg will want this done quickly then he can rest and try out others, must start with our strongest team

3-0, players rested after the 3rd goal, ready for the weekend.