Match Thread Middlesbrough - Coventry City Match Thread - Tuesday 25th Nov (10 Viewers)

[JSL]

All 2117 of them.

Assuming most go, that's a big turnout for a long distance mid week fixture

 

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[Mucca Mad Boys]

To be fair the midfield wasn't really at fault this time.

I agree, we got caught out down the flanks and that shape is the same be it 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1.

I’m leaning towards BTA > Eccles for this one but if Lampard feels like he needs Eccles for control, fair enough.

 

[edgy]

How many away tickets have we sold? Anyone know?

Sold Out 2,117

 

[Chris1987]

3 game weeks always worry me with our squad depth. Players will be knackered for this one and no Haji limits our attacking options further. Would snap your hand off for a point.

Not sure why the majority of players would be knackered for this one. Not many played over the IB , BTA and Rudoni waiting in the wings for the Charlton game. JDS is the one who's had most football. Simms able deputy for Haji.

 

[CC_Si]

If going away to second in the league is our theoretical toughest fixture, I wonder how many times that has happened twice in a row before? I guess it would be going away to top of the league most seasons, but obviously we can't do that at the moment!

If (I know, IF) we beat Middlesbrough, that opens the door for Ipswich to be 2nd by the time we go there on 6th December, as they play their game in hand before then. Making it 3 in a row!

 

[robbiethemole]

If (I know, IF) we beat Middlesbrough, that opens the door for Ipswich to be 2nd by the time we go there on 6th December, as they play their game in hand before then. Making it 3 in a row!

hang on, they've got Hull tomoz, they ain't no pushovers then Oxford and Blackburn, not the easiest of teams now, plus they've got to get past Stoke, Bristol and Preston, who aren't all going to lose points.

 

[CC_Si]

hang on, they've got Hull tomoz, they ain't no pushovers then Oxford and Blackburn, not the easiest of teams now, plus they've got to get past Stoke, Bristol and Preston, who aren't all going to lose points.

I know, it's only a possibility. Main focus is tomorrow, but I thought it was interesting nevertheless

 

[skybluelee]

3 game weeks always worry me with our squad depth. Players will be knackered for this one and no Haji limits our attacking options further. Would snap your hand off for a point.

Always worry you despite the fact that in nearly every 3 game week this season we've picked up 9 points?

 

[SkyBlueDom26]

These have only won 1 in 5, form has fallen off big time

 

[robbiethemole]

Time to STOP worrying about what other teams MIGHT do, and concentrate on our Big, Beautiful Sky Blues!! ( taken from some crazy fucker ) we're gonna do so much winning, you're gonna get sick of winning, Oopps. hahahha

 

[SonofErnie]

If (I know, IF) we beat Middlesbrough, that opens the door for Ipswich to be 2nd by the time we go there on 6th December, as they play their game in hand before then. Making it 3 in a row!

I suspect that’s more likely to be the case by our home game on 29th December. There is also a small possibility of another one v Bristol City!

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Tough game for us. Can see they’ve struggled to score but defensively still good.

Feel this could be very similar to Stoke.

 

[wingy]

Doug should have got his wallet out re Bamford, very important pick up I'd guess.
When's Haji signing his New deal?

 

[Skyblueweeman]

They've appointed that Hellberg as manage now officially but he won't take the reins until later this week so Adi V will be leading them out tomorrow night.

 

[HJones23]

The luxury of being in the position we are in now means we do not have to set up for a draw in any games really considering the points gap we have built. Get after them early and if we drop points, we bounce back on Saturday

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Simms to score City to win 2-1

 

[jto123]

Not sure why the majority of players would be knackered for this one. Not many played over the IB , BTA and Rudoni waiting in the wings for the Charlton game. JDS is the one who's had most football. Simms able deputy for Haji.

True, but you have to consider Grimes, MVE etc because realistically not many are going to be able to play all three matches this week.

 

[jto123]

Always worry you despite the fact that in nearly every 3 game week this season we've picked up 9 points?

Yes. It’s a great effort what we have managed so far, but are you saying that three game weeks aren’t tough to manage player fitness?

 

[Covkid1968#]

Go for the statement win, a la Stoke.

Nice attempt at trying to make Stoke a bit sexy......

 

[Covkid1968#]

Morning Coventry - Don't think i have posted on here since our Play Off fixture.

I have no idea how we are still second, it say's more about the teams below us rather than how good we have been - frankly, we have been poor for a few weeks now. The positives are we seem to be able to grab a point and get back into games which we couldn't under Carrick and defensively we are much stronger.

Its the attack that is proving a problem. We just do not create enough chances, we haven't found the right formula and what started as a positive - having options is now working against us.

Its the perfect game to reignite our early season form but i'm struggling to see how we stop you.

New manager will be in the stands as he arrived last night but Adi will still be in charge.

We have a few fitness tests but expect the team to look something like the following:

Brynn

Brittain
Ayling
Jones
Targett*

Morris
Hackney

Whittaker
Nypan
McGree

Conway

Or

The same defence

Browne
Hackney
Morris

Whitaker
McGree
Conway

Safe journey to those travelling, weather is grim.

Id love for the 2 automatic places to be Cov and Boro!!

I take it Adi wasn't even in the reckoning for the job then?...if you get a result against us with Adi managing, 2 wins and a draw should have got him the job. But maybe he is not fancied..and it would be a shame if the new guy brought in his own team and Adi got kicked out just because of that rat Edwards. Best of luck after tomorrow....a really decent set of fans.

 

[pusbccfc]

 

[skybluelee]

Yes. It’s a great effort what we have managed so far, but are you saying that three game weeks aren’t tough to manage player fitness?

At this point I don't think its any worse for us than anybody else. We're effectively 11 points clear of third after 16 games, the players seem to be coping ok.

 

[Paxman II]

My worry as is every year and often proven right....the FA Cup.
I would rather draw a tough game, lose it and be out of the competition and all focus on the league.
We are in our best position for 25 years and we should be looking to keep players as fit as possible, not playing extra games, risking injuries in cup games when we are a whisker away from the promised land.
Bring in a couple to strengthen in January and concentrate on the league. For cup games I'd play the second string players like Allen, Keysler-Haden and co, and the competative minutes for them would be a huge advantage as the season stretches out...

 

[lord_garrincha]

My worry as is every year and often proven right....the FA Cup.

Yeah, but... tomorrow???

 

[Jamesimus]

My worry as is every year and often proven right....the FA Cup.
I would rather draw a tough game, lose it and be out of the competition and all focus on the league.
We are in our best position for 25 years and we should be looking to keep players as fit as possible, not playing extra games, risking injuries in cup games when we are a whisker away from the promised land.
Bring in a couple to strengthen in January and concentrate on the league. For cup games I'd play the second string players like Allen, Keysler-Haden and co, and the competative minutes for them would be a huge advantage as the season stretches out...

Never change!

 

[Johhny Blue]

If we continue our form into December, we’re not gonna get caught up for 2nd realistically. There’s 24 points between now and the New Year, continuing 2.3 PPG takes us to 55 points, even 1.6 PPG takes us to 50 points.

So we could be safe by new year?

 

[Ccfcisparks]

So we could be safe by new year?

we are clearly safe. who’s even thinking about relegation ffs

 

[blunted]

Boro in a bit of a defensive crisis. Espcecially at left back. Bodes well

Never trust sides claiming they are in a defensive mess.

 

[OldBedrocker]

Genuinely think we’ll have 6 more points by 5pm Saturday

 

[blunted]

Id love for the 2 automatic places to be Cov and Boro!!

I take it Adi wasn't even in the reckoning for the job then?...if you get a result against us with Adi managing, 2 wins and a draw should have got him the job. But maybe he is not fancied..and it would be a shame if the new guy brought in his own team and Adi got kicked out just because of that rat Edwards. Best of luck after tomorrow....a really decent set of fans.

If you read Adi's interview with the Telegraph, he said categorically that he doesn't want to be a manager. He prefers improving players.
I guess he didn't want to go to Wolves and has said he loves Middlesborough and the fans. Possible their owner recognised his effect on the players and asked the new manager to keep him on.
From our experiences, we know Adi is a great coach (as he was at Chelsea). If he had not fallen out with Robins, don't things would have turned out the way they have.
Adi against the coach who took over from him at Chelsea I believe.
During Covid, think Adi took charge of one of our matches and won. Got a good record in charge, lets hope he is due a loss.

 

[Hobo]

[QUOuscles tso, post: 3531688, member: 9268"]
Why would any one accept dropping 2 points?

It makes zero sense.

We are the best side in this division, we are going for automatic promotion, so why accept dropping points before the game has even kicked off? That is total fucking madness.

When we were 2-0 down yesterday im sure many would of taken a point. Thankfully Lampard wasnt one of them, so why are you so defeatist?

You make champions by having a champions mentality. All this "musnt lose" or "take a point" bollocks is the talk of losers and cowards.

Think like a winner if you want to be a winner.
[/QUOTE]

Having beaten WBA if we lose at Middlesbrough and follow it up with a win against Charlton it would be okay. 97 points should be enough. As much as I admire your confidence and chest pumping we can afford to be more measured. If we lose tomorrow we don't need to have stroppy meltdowns from fans.

In fact a W L W sequence until the end of the season

 

[Briles]

Never trust sides claiming they are in a defensive mess.

Tbf we claimed it before we played Wrexham

 

[covcity4life]

My worry as is every year and often proven right....the FA Cup.
I would rather draw a tough game, lose it and be out of the competition and all focus on the league.
We are in our best position for 25 years and we should be looking to keep players as fit as possible, not playing extra games, risking injuries in cup games when we are a whisker away from the promised land.
Bring in a couple to strengthen in January and concentrate on the league. For cup games I'd play the second string players like Allen, Keysler-Haden and co, and the competative minutes for them would be a huge advantage as the season stretches out...

Often proven right? How so? You one of those that think fa cup semi final run cost us a playoff spot?

I disagree but ok. Which others? I don't get the often proven right thing about the fa cup

I'm personally excited for it. I think we can do well again on top of winning the league. Were a good team after all

Wether it's a non League side where we can make 8-9 changes or if it's Vs an elite side where we get to test how far off we are from the top prem sides , im looking forward to the fa cup this year

 

[Matt smith]

we are clearly safe. who’s even thinking about relegation ffs

Me

 

[Johhny Blue]

QPRs 22/23 crumble doesn’t really count as they were only top for two weeks. Cardiff 06/07 is still the all time Championship crumble, game 20/21 they dropped off. If we win then we can’t drop off before game 21, meaning we’d need to become the all time crumble champions to fuck it up from there.

C’mon lads. If anyone can do it we can.