Mark Albrighton

Bamford was booked for his scuffle with Hourihane, not the El Ghazi dive.

Leeds supporter on the right giving Tyrone a run for his money....

We drew with Stoke, won the next ten, then drew today. Twelve unbeaten.

Moral victories count, yeah?

Reluctant to think about this in much detail as we don’t know what division we’ll be in. But if we were in the premier league next season, my gut feeling is that it would be another loan. There’s a question mark over his ability in the top flight and as such his value. Chelsea get to see him play against the top teams at a club he’s settled at. If he was a success at Villa (say 15 or so goals), then that would bump his price up, but I’d be happier spending £40m on a striker capable of scoring regularly in the top flight than £25m on one whom we’re not 100% sure on. To me it would appear to be the best option for all concerned. In the meantime, please hurry back soon Tammy and help make this debate a reality!

He’s got his homeland in his sights...

Oh de gea....

More worried about injuries/suspensions than I am about the outcome.

Good, hope they buy him.

Boro now winning

Yeah I know, but there’s bound to be one scamp who’ll say that it doesn’t matter cos we’ll beat whoever we face.

Just as it may have some bearing on us later on, Derby beating Bristol City, Boro are currently losing to Reading.

As per Blandy’s clever joke above lapal’s typically whimsical retort, he was a presenter on “How” and “How 2”, the latter of which is where I know him from. He can be seen now on freeview doing programmes about grisly murders.

Anyone else think of Fred Dinenage when they see or hear Fred Dibnah’s name? It’s only for half a second, but it’s literally every damn time for me.

Jack was a factor in that bad run, the biggest factor admittedly, but there were others things at play I think. If we played those dozen or so fixtures right now, without Jack, I reckon our points return would be much higher. Regarding resting him for this match, I’m unsure/indifferent to it. I can see the argument for playing our best players, going for the win, keeping the momentum going. I can see the argument for not tempting fate and resting players. I really don’t mind. What could have been a pivotal fixture for both teams (almost a season curtain closer) now appears more likely to be a damp squib. In answer to your question, yeah, I think we could rest him and get a result, because I think this game is almost going to be like a friendly in it’s manner, potentially a bit of a free-for-all. Both clubs will be playing with one eye on the fixtures in May.

Without wanting to turn this into another thread about our previous manager, this season, how many games do you think we won with Jack in the team before Smith came in? It was 3 wins in 12 (pre Smith). So in answer to your question, yes, it is much better.

I think De Gea can regain his form and become one of the best again, but he won’t do so at Man Utd.

Everyone is trying their luck, trying to work out what’s allowed and what isn’t. You can bet if clubs knew you could have shares in a particular sports agency, a few more would have looked into it, the Leeds bloke basically said as much. No doubt Gibson will have looked at things today and wondered whether it’s viable to sell Boro’s stadium to themselves or whatever it is that Derby have done. The whole thing is a shitshow frankly, the better the whole lot is thrown in the bin*, the better in my opinion. *or reworked and clearly defined and implemented, but if not, see the bin option.

@Keyblade raised it elsewhere but what has been everyone’s favourite of these ten? I see the argument for Rotherham, it was the sort of game that other clubs seem to grind out on a regular basis despite things going against them, like Man Utd under Fergie (obviously the levels are different but the principle is the same). It also arguably had the best goal of this run in Jack’s winner. Of course the small heath game is memorably satisfying. The complete performance against Derby which started the run from almost out of nowhere has got to be a consideration. Part of me holds the Sheffield Wednesday game in the highest regard. Admittedly not the best performance, up against our former (unbeaten) manager, a bit of a grudge match, overturning a goal deficit, penalty save, last minute goal(s), but with the added craziness of results elsewhere going our way at more or less the same time. The final few pages of that match thread are a delirious read. They’ve all been enjoyable in one way or another, but they’re the ones that immediately stand out in my mind.

Not too worried, Boro are rarely on target against us.

Looking back at my opening post in January, I hadn’t even included Brighton in my “as things stand” table. That now looks like a bit of an oversight on my part. At the time they were 13th on 26 points with a 4 point cushion on Palace in 14th.

If the bloke has run onto the pitch to celebrate them scoring...meh. A few of our lot did it recently, notably against Wednesday. World of difference between running on to the pitch to cause harm and to be a bit exuberant in celebrating. Another successful season of also ran mediocrity is something to be appreciated in their case I guess. Having a player be photographed with someone while being in a police van is fairly pathetic though, however it’s fairly representative of that club.

I believe a match day squad has to feature 10 players who featured in the previous fixture’s squad. Unless there’s a good reason like a spurs style lasagne situation I guess. The rule comes into play from the end of March.

Staggering to the end of this now. Assuming Southampton have done enough - Brighton 34 points Newcastle (h) Arsenal (a) Man City (h) Cardiff 31 points Fulham (a) Palace (h) Man Utd (a) Well I thought that the Brighton - Cardiff game would have sorted it out, but this weekend might just be the last real chance for Brighton to add to their points total. Looking at Cardiff’s fixtures, they have two very winnable games remaining and also Crystal Palace.