roonst83 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Third game in six days will be a tough one up at Boro. We need to play to our strengths and try get back to the composure we showed at Derby. Hopefully McGinn will be a bit fresher. No Hutton so Elmo will come in (which I’m happy with as I think he’s our strongest RB). Boro have some big boys so I expect a tough game for our defence. We looked very vulnerable against Forest and need to ensure our defence has adequate protection from the midfield. That was the case at Derby and mean we stifled the opposition’s attacks and could counter well. Can’t see DS changing the team so I expect the start starting XI from midweek (with Elmo for Hutton). Let’s go at them and play to our strengths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugeley Villa Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 I’d take a draw, but we can’t draw too many, as we will start falling behind. Boro are good at the back, and we are great going forward. Boro are a bit toothless upfront, and we are poor at the back. Smash and grab win??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Albrighton Posted November 29, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted November 29, 2018 If he was available, I’d be tempted to start Jedinak in DM as we’re struggling with defending set pieces and let’s face it, it’s a Pulis side. All I know is I have **** all idea on how this will go. That in itself is quite exciting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted November 29, 2018 Moderator Share Posted November 29, 2018 I have an idea for the next line-up ... 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouchmefoot Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 33 minutes ago, Shropshire Lad said: If he was available, I’d be tempted to start Jedinak in DM as we’re struggling with defending set pieces and let’s face it, it’s a Pulis side. All I know is I have **** all idea on how this will go. That in itself is quite exciting. I'd be tempted to put Jedinak in goal 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 pains me to say it but Whelan in for Hourihane is probably our best bet for not conceding 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyh29 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 40 minutes ago, BOF said: I have an idea for the next line-up ... pedant but Hutton is banned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BleedClaretAndBlue Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Corners, as ever, will be a big problem for us in this game. Best hope is to dominate posession and outscore opponent. Only thing we can do until Jan. Elmo for Hutton Moreira for Nyland Jedinak for Conor to sit infront of the defence, need extra protection and height to defend against Pulis' only tactic. I think we can win but a lot needs to go our way. Hooefully ill be pleasantly surprised just like our last away game. Head says 2-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turvontour Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 2 hours ago, Rugeley Villa said: I’d take a draw, but we can’t draw too many, as we will start falling behind. Boro are good at the back, and we are great going forward. Boro are a bit toothless upfront, and we are poor at the back. Smash and grab win??? I know where youre coming from as theyre decent, but everytime we draw a game it means we need to win an extra match, in effect. I might take a draw if we were first or second in the league. Also, we usually do pretty well up there from recent memory. So no reason not to win. Out score them Villa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted November 29, 2018 Moderator Share Posted November 29, 2018 Right, where do you start? With the officials I suppose : Referee : Andy Davies Assistant Referees: Paul Hodskinson and James Wilson Fourth Official : Andy Woolmer Apart from Forest, Boro are the other side who've only lost twice this season (to Forest & Norwich). They're unbeaten in 7 and sit 6th in the home table. They rank 19th scoring goals at home (10) but they rank 1st in conceding goals at home (3). So it's no surprise that games involving Middlesbrough rank 24th and bottom in total goals, and games at the Riverside the same. So 6-6 then. TBH I think "both teams to score" is the bet here (and may well be the bet involving Villa for the rest of the season). I'd probably begrudgingly take a draw, but we're obviously well capable of winning this game and losing it too. We're f**king mental at the moment so the only guarantee is it'll be worth watching 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WakefieldVillan Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 As a couple of other posters have mentioned, I too would be tempted to start with Jedinak for his aerial presence, if he is fit and available for selection. Boro started Tuesday's game at Preston with Flint, Ayala, Batth, Hugill and Gestede all in the starting eleven, these are all six-foot plus and I worry that we will not be able to cope with the many set-pieces you can expect from a Pulis team. To be fair Gestede came off injured at Deepdale, so he probably won't start, but that means Assombalonga will and he's no doubt the better player and will cause us different problems to Rudy. Would probably have taken a point if offered prior to last night's game, but with two dropped points, we really could do with all 3, with the baggies next in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted November 29, 2018 Moderator Share Posted November 29, 2018 Yeah ... about Jedinak ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villaglint Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 21 minutes ago, WakefieldVillan said: Would probably have taken a point if offered prior to last night's game, but with two dropped points, we really could do with all 3, with the baggies next in line. Well it may well end up a draw but I can guarantee it wont be 0-0 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted November 29, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted November 29, 2018 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted November 29, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted November 29, 2018 Possibly the worst game we could get with the state of our defence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Win this one and i start believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, BOF said: Yeah ... about Jedinak ... I'm gutted Birkir got injured. Really liked what i saw from him the few minutes he got under Smith. I'd love to see what this team could do: ---------------------Nyland---------------- Hutton--Tuanzebe--Chester--Taylor --------------------Birkir-------------------------- --------------McGinn--Grealish-------------- Bolasie--------Abraham----------Kodjia Edited November 29, 2018 by villalad21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir_gary_cahill Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 8 minutes ago, villalad21 said: I'm gutted Birkir got injured. Really liked what i saw from him the few minutes he got under Smith. I'd love to see what this team could do: ---------------------Nyland---------------- Hutton--Tuanzebe--Chester--Taylor --------------------Birkir-------------------------- --------------McGinn--Grealish-------------- Bolasie--------Abraham----------Kodjia This side but with Jedinak instead of Bjarnason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Another Derby performance please! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villalad21 Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 4 minutes ago, sir_gary_cahill said: This side but with Jedinak instead of Bjarnason Nah Jedi is too slow for Smith's system 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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