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Kris_Boro · Jan 20, 2026

Hello Coventry

Usually drop by ahead of our fixture and then sign out after the inevitable loss but thought id drop in a bit earlier this time as we both navigate this nightmare of a division.

We have been inconsistent since Christmas, not helped by our ongoing injury crisis. I have no idea what we do to players but two of our best defenders Brittain and Jones are out long term. Thankfully the new lad Malanda looks fantastic albeit after two appearances and Ayling has done okay. Current worry is Newcastle take Targett back, hopefully not as he has been fantastic. We are just dreaming of a back four of Brittain, Jones, Malanda and Targett to stop shipping as many goals as we are.

We are much more attractive going forward under Hellberg but again McGree has gone on his second injured stint of the season and Whittaker whilst our top scorer either plays like Messi or my Mum, no in-between. Very reliant on goals across the team as Conway has 3 i think all season, work rate and everything else is fantastic but just does not score nor look like scoring.

If we are to seriously push you and Ipswich we need a striker and another attacking mid otherwise i think its yourselves and Ipswich, in which order i dont know.

Tough midweek for us both you and Ipswich at home and we travel to Stoke - a team and manager in Robins we just never tend to do well against for some reason so if we can come through that, we can hopefully apply the pressure with the earlier kick off on Saturday.

Anyway, good forum this and have no issue with you lot going up as long as its with us.

The Big G · Jan 20, 2026

I thought Targett had wished to stay and Newcastle granted it? I'd be more worried about the rumours i the MEN that Man U want Hayden Hackney , unless they buy him and agree to loan him back straight away.

Matt Grimes' Beard · Jan 20, 2026

The Big G said:
I thought Targett had wished to stay and Newcastle granted it? I'd be more worried about the rumours i the MEN that Man U want Hayden Hackney , unless they buy him and agree to loan him back straight away.

If he's not been recalled already then he should be staying. I'm fairly sure there was a deadline last week for recalling loans.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 20, 2026

Your colleague @Ipad Boro has been doing a good job of keeping us posted. Results might have dipped over Christmas but the xG being racked up was impressive regardless.

I expect February will be critical for all 3 teams with Ipswich playing away games all month and Cov/Boro thrown in.

Skybluekyle · Jan 20, 2026

First thought when I saw the topic sentence

"I'm checkin' in"

Kris_Boro · Jan 20, 2026

Matt Grimes' Beard said:
If he's not been recalled already then he should be staying. I'm fairly sure there was a deadline last week for recalling loans.

We reluctantly agreed to extend it but i do think that deadline is due and it has gone quiet. Targett seems more than happy here so fingers crossed

Kris_Boro · Jan 20, 2026

The Big G said:
I thought Targett had wished to stay and Newcastle granted it? I'd be more worried about the rumours i the MEN that Man U want Hayden Hackney , unless they buy him and agree to loan him back straight away.

I'm hoping its just a lazy link following the Carrick appointment. Praying anyway, he is outstanding.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 20, 2026

Kris_Boro said:
I'm hoping its just a lazy link following the Carrick appointment. Praying anyway, he is outstanding.

Surprised he hasn’t moved in years gone by when you look at who else Boro have sold. Don’t see him going now unless for ridiculous money.

Captain Dart · Jan 20, 2026

We've got a veritable plague of other teams supporters on here.

@Leicesterfox, @MillwallFan and now @Kris_Boro

AFCCOVENTRY · Jan 20, 2026

Kris_Boro said:
Hello Coventry

Usually drop by ahead of our fixture and then sign out after the inevitable loss but thought id drop in a bit earlier this time as we both navigate this nightmare of a division.

We have been inconsistent since Christmas, not helped by our ongoing injury crisis. I have no idea what we do to players but two of our best defenders Brittain and Jones are out long term. Thankfully the new lad Malanda looks fantastic albeit after two appearances and Ayling has done okay. Current worry is Newcastle take Targett back, hopefully not as he has been fantastic. We are just dreaming of a back four of Brittain, Jones, Malanda and Targett to stop shipping as many goals as we are.

We are much more attractive going forward under Hellberg but again McGree has gone on his second injured stint of the season and Whittaker whilst our top scorer either plays like Messi or my Mum, no in-between. Very reliant on goals across the team as Conway has 3 i think all season, work rate and everything else is fantastic but just does not score nor look like scoring.

If we are to seriously push you and Ipswich we need a striker and another attacking mid otherwise i think its yourselves and Ipswich, in which order i dont know.

Tough midweek for us both you and Ipswich at home and we travel to Stoke - a team and manager in Robins we just never tend to do well against for some reason so if we can come through that, we can hopefully apply the pressure with the earlier kick off on Saturday.

Anyway, good forum this and have no issue with you lot going up as long as its with us.

Looks like you have lost out to Brum for Sarimento

Flying Fokker · Jan 20, 2026

Nothing against Boro. It is us that have over achieved based on how much was spent during the summer. Ipswich have squad depth which is a concern.
it’s great that the parachute teams have faltered. We need to make the most of this rare opportunity.

Adge · Jan 20, 2026

Flying Fokker said:
Nothing against Boro. It is us that have over achieved based on how much was spent during the summer. Ipswich have squad depth which is a concern.
it’s great that the parachute teams have faltered. We need to me the most of this rare opportunity.

It certainly is with the relegated teams (bar Ipswich who may still come to the party) not firing. We’ve been banging on the door for the past 3-4 years and now is the time to get through it.

SleepyGinger · Jan 20, 2026

AFCCOVENTRY said:
Looks like you have lost out to Brum for Sarimento

Not sure that’s a bad thing

PUSB-We_are_going_up · Jan 20, 2026

Sarmiento isnt all that had quite a few Championship loan spells and not pulled up any trees, was once promising but seems unlikely to reach his early potential

Ipad Boro · Jan 20, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Your colleague @Ipad Boro has been doing a good job of keeping us posted. Results might have dipped over Christmas but the xG being racked up was impressive regardless.

I expect February will be critical for all 3 teams with Ipswich playing away games all month and Cov/Boro thrown in.

In a strange twist of fate, your slump was identical to ours, with 3 losses and a draw, it's just that yours was 2 games later amd 1 of the games was in the cup.

Ipswich having the very same slump coming up would be delightful.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 20, 2026

Ipad Boro said:
In a strange twist of fate, your slump was identical to ours, with 3 losses and a draw, it's just that yours was 2 games later amd 1 of the games was in the cup.

Ipswich having the very same slump coming up would be delightful.

McKenna’s got the sprinklers ready for that.

TomRad85 · Jan 20, 2026

PUSB-We_are_going_up said:
Sarmiento isnt all that had quite a few Championship loan spells and not pulled up any trees, was once promising but seems unlikely to reach his early potential

I heard he has 2 assists ever

i hope its true.

covcity4life · Jan 20, 2026

Read the OP name as Kris Boyd first. He played for Boro didn't he iirc?

Ipad Boro · Jan 20, 2026

covcity4life said:
Read the OP name as Kris Boyd first. He played for Boro didn't he iirc?

Indeed he did.

He was part of Wee Ginge Gordon Strachan's patriotic but doomed experiment to bring "The Best of the Best" down from Scottish football in his determined opinion that the Scottish Prem was the same level as the championship, if not a little higher.

He spunked our entire parachute payment money over a couple of windows to do so, think 9 of the guys currently ripping up the Scottish top flight answered the call. "They are winners" Ginge proclaimed, "and they are used to winning."

Of those 9, Barry Robson was a robust and very competent classic engine room midfielder, Scott MacDonald whilst not awesome, was indeed a decent striker at this level.

The other 7, including Boyd, rolled their sleeves up, eager to prove a point that they were more than equal to this league...And the rest of the championship promptly ripped them to shreds all season, running rings around them and handing them all to a man their collective ar$es on a plate.

Gordon Strachan left by mutual consent, with us having outspent everyone in the league and nosediving towards relegation the following season, until Mowbray turned up, made a couple of cheap yet resourceful buys from outside Scottish football and gunned us back up the table for the remaining half season to the lofty heights of 12th.

Strachan's credibility was ruined, but perhaps worse to him was that any idea of his beloved nation's football league strength had been shown up to be a complete farce, him single handedly doing more to put it's reputation in tatters than anyone else.

Ricketts · Jan 20, 2026

Ipad Boro said:
Strachan's credibility was ruined, but perhaps worse to him was that any idea of his beloved nation's football league strength had been shown up to be a complete farce, him single handedly doing more to put it's reputation in tatters than anyone else.

I could of told him that

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 20, 2026

Ipad Boro said:
Indeed he did.

He was part of Wee Ginge Gordon Strachan's patriotic but doomed experiment to bring "The Best of the Best" down from Scottish football in his determined opinion that the Scottish Prem was the same level as the championship, if not a little higher.

He spunked our entire parachute payment money over a couple of windows to do so, think 9 of the guys currently ripping up the Scottish top flight answered the call. "They are winners" Ginge proclaimed, "and they are used to winning."

Of those 9, Barry Robson was a robust and very competent classic engine room midfielder, Scott MacDonald whilst not awesome, was indeed a decent striker at this level.

The other 7, including Boyd, rolled their sleeves up, eager to prove a point that they were more than equal to this league...And the rest of the championship promptly ripped them to shreds all season, running rings around them and handing them all to a man their collective ar$es on a plate.

Gordon Strachan left by mutual consent, with us having outspent everyone in the league and nosediving towards relegation the following season, until Mowbray turned up, made a couple of cheap yet resourceful buys from outside Scottish football and gunned us back up the table for the remaining half season to the lofty heights of 12th.

Strachan's credibility was ruined, but perhaps worse to him was that any idea of his beloved nation's football league strength had been shown up to be a complete farce, him single handedly doing more to put it's reputation in tatters than anyone else.

It was pretty close to an SPL dream team for the time, I remember it well as still at uni in Scotland and the locals took an interest in Strachan’s Boro. Think they saw it the same way as he did and ended up just as disappointed.

In my 5 a side team I was christened ‘the Ginger Kris Boyd’ for being fat and slow but with a powerful left foot shot. Sums him up really, he was never going to have the fitness for Championship football.

Kris_Boro · Jan 21, 2026

Willo Flood and Kevin Thomson still send shivers down my spine. Horrific period that was.

Massive game for us tonight now.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 21, 2026

Kris_Boro said:
Willo Flood and Kevin Thomson still send shivers down my spine. Horrific period that was.

Massive game for us tonight now.

With Stoke's injury crisis and PNE in poor form I'm actually expecting Boro to win both games.

TomRad85 · Jan 21, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
With Stoke's injury crisis and PNE in poor form I'm actually expecting Boro to win both games.

Me too. Good time to go to Stoke i think and PNE are falling off.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 21, 2026

TomRad85 said:
Me too. Good time to go to Stoke i think and PNE are falling off.

Surely Ipswich and these chaps have to drop points at some point. Feels like our opposition are turning in their best performances of the season every week and nobody behind us is letting up.

Nobody else got the flu outbreak either. Doing all this on Ed Miliband bacon sandwich difficulty.

Kris_Boro · Jan 21, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Surely Ipswich and these chaps have to drop points at some point. Feels like our opposition are turning in their best performances of the season every week and nobody behind us is letting up.

Nobody else got the flu outbreak either. Doing all this on Ed Miliband bacon sandwich difficulty.

We have only won 2 in the last 6 games. Albeit the most recent 2, so i am hoping our form is turning. However, the performances have not been great (opposition has been poor). That said, ill take grinding out a few wins.

Still a big test of the lads tonight.

Ipad Boro · Jan 21, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Surely Ipswich and these chaps have to drop points at some point. Feels like our opposition are turning in their best performances of the season every week and nobody behind us is letting up.

Nobody else got the flu outbreak either. Doing all this on Ed Miliband bacon sandwich difficulty.

Like Kris says (whilst we're still dominating games, as we always tend to do so) it's much more of an air of efficiently grinding out results as you have been of late, rather than absolutely blowing teams away like we both did earlier in the season.

Our results haven't really outshone yours overall either, your slump was just 2 games later and if you look the gap with an even number of games played (so before last night's game for you) it was 6 points, which it has been there or thereabouts for ages now.
We're certainly not been falling away, but we aren't really making up any ground on you either.

Ipswich of course are another matter entirely, though they have had certainly been helped by their recent fixtures which is a remarkably easy run comparatively.

In their last 7 games (including the FA Cup to keep momentum going, in which they had the easiest opponent of the 3 of us), they've played FIVE at home and just the TWO away games.

Which include the inadequate bottom two and another side outside the relegation zone on GD (who I personally think is most likely to go down with them) a side who despite being very accomplished usually they have the all conquering Hoodoo over, played during their slump no less, a side sitting in 11th and one play off side against whom the upset to the winning run came though they did manage to get a 0-0 draw. Oh and a cup tie at home against a side just outside the relegation zone in League 1.

That's as close to a "good form cheat code" as I could imagine personally. Let's see how they do next month.

Brighton Sky Blue · Jan 21, 2026

Ipad Boro said:
Like Kris says (whilst we're still dominating games, as we always tend to do so) it's much more of an air of efficiently grinding out results as you have been of late, rather than absolutely blowing teams away like we both did earlier in the season.

Our results haven't really outshone yours overall either, your slump was just 2 games later and if you look the gap with an even number of games played (so before last night's game for you) it was 6 points, which it has been there or thereabouts for ages now.
We're certainly not been falling away, but we aren't really making up any ground on you either.

Ipswich of course are another matter entirely, though they have had certainly been helped by their recent fixtures which is a remarkably easy run comparatively.

In their last 7 games (including the FA Cup to keep momentum going, in which they had the easiest opponent of the 3 of us), they've played FIVE at home and just the TWO away games.

Which include the inadequate bottom two and another side outside the relegation zone on GD (who I personally think is most likely to go down with them) a side who despite being very accomplished usually they have the all conquering Hoodoo over, played during their slump no less, a side sitting in 11th and one play off side against whom the upset to the winning run came though they did manage to get a 0-0 draw. Oh and a cup tie at home against a side just outside the relegation zone in League 1.

That's as close to a "good form cheat code" as I could imagine personally. Let's see how they do next month.

Fair comments, and I said as much in reply to the Ipswich fan on another thread. I'll be interested to see how Stoke perform in any case. My perception and that of various opposition fans is they've been turning in their best performances of the season against us for a good while now. Not seen as much of yours or Ipswich's games but my feeling is that probably hasn't been the case.

Ipad Boro · Jan 21, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Fair comments, and I said as much in reply to the Ipswich fan on another thread. I'll be interested to see how Stoke perform in any case. My perception and that of various opposition fans is they've been turning in their best performances of the season against us for a good while now. Not seen as much of yours or Ipswich's games but my feeling is that probably hasn't been the case.

They were a decent sides when we played them in the reverse fixture tbh. We were top of the table at the time (in fact I think it may have been the game that you jumped us) and had them at home.

They were efficient, solid defensively and whilst not pulling up trees in attack, still actually had a little more shots than we did despite us dominating the game. It ended in a hard fought Nil-nil.

They played Ipswich at Portman Road and whilst it was a gutsy encounter, the fact Ipswich were at home and that Philogene scored after about 90 seconds or so meant that the Tractors could shut up shop to a certain extent. Stoke aren't the best at attacking, but their defence is generally awesome at this level.

Hobo · Jan 21, 2026

Captain Dart said:
We've got a veritable plague of other teams supporters on here.

@Leicesterfox, @MillwallFan and now @Kris_Boro

At least that preacher from Barnsley disappeared a few seasons ago.

Travs · Jan 21, 2026

Brighton Sky Blue said:
Surely Ipswich and these chaps have to drop points at some point. Feels like our opposition are turning in their best performances of the season every week and nobody behind us is letting up.

Nobody else got the flu outbreak either. Doing all this on Ed Miliband bacon sandwich difficulty.

To be fair, we had other results in our favour, seemingly on a weekly basis throughout October/November, which gave us the huge lead.

I don't think its too much of a surprise now that the season has reached the "business end", that the teams at the very top are constantly stringing results together.....

Which is why i'm not so confident when people say "only a total collapse will drop us out of the autos now"...... if we have another mini-faltering like we've just had, that lead will be gone.

Jamesimus · Jan 21, 2026

Hobo said:
At least that preacher from Barnsley disappeared a few seasons ago.

“Our recruitment / model is absolutely amazing, what we do it we buy young players who are good and then we sell them on for a profit, it’s really quite clever!”

That guy

Hobo · Jan 21, 2026

Jamesimus said:
“Our recruitment / model is absolutely amazing, what we do it we buy young players who are good and then we sell them on for a profit, it’s really quite clever!”

That guy

Yes the one who knew how our club should be run. Disappeared around the time Barnsley got relegated I think

Kris_Boro · Jan 22, 2026

We got away with one last night. First half was as bad as i have seen us this season, nobody could pass a ball. Thankfully Stoke dont have much going forward at the minute.

Much better second half and glad to get it out the way. Conway to finish top scorer now.......

Preston saturday in the lunch time kick off.

viridisman · Jan 22, 2026

Stoke looked lost second half.
Id say over half the passes ended at a boro players foot

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