* - The "official" unofficial Mighty Boro v Brum Matchday Thread and Programme - *

[r00fie1]

Its that time again.....

Not too many weeks ago, us Boro fans were trudging back from a miserable match at Hull: wet, cold and wazzed off. It seemed like we ciuldnt hit a cows arz with a banjo and had the consistency of a Pukka Pie. Some thought 5,000,000 GBP`s Peyero would have more splinters in his arz than a carpenters forefinger. Something happened - despite all the talk of a "crisis" - those players who were available stood up to the plate and proved you dont have to be paid a fortune to perform at your best.

The Gaffa`s hands have been tied - which has proven an advantage.
Some of the lads might not have had their chance - so hopefully, returning players will find it difficult to get back into the team.

Why change a winning team?​

Who would have believed we could score six goals in the last three games - keep three clean sheets and be sitting on the edge of the play-offs!
Nah!
Not Boro - not our Small Town in Europe.
So here goes for a fourth win in a row [honest!]​

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Today`s Fixtures [Saturday 30th October]

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A draw for Luton at Preston, and a much needed win at home for Hull against Coventry, could see Boro up to fourth [4th!] in the Championship.
I must have that wrong?

​

The Championship Table after the 1-1 draw between QPR and Forest [Friday 29th October 2021].

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Match summary:
[Courtesy of Flashscore.co.uk - https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/YDpCiCQp/#match-summary ]

It may be Halloween week, but there’s been nothing spooky about Middlesbrough’s form, with the Teessiders ghosting their way to three consecutive 2-0 victories ahead of this clash. Those have seen manager Neil Warnock equal a personal-best run of straight wins in his 72 games at the club to date, and propelled his charges into the top six.

There are no skeletons in the cupboard as far as Warnock-managed sides facing Birmingham are concerned, as his teams have scored a considerable 11 goals across the last four meetings (W3, L1). Another strong showing is expected here from a Boro side that have won ‘to nil’ in four of their last five games, including three straight home league games.

Though goalless in four straight away league games, Birmingham recently put some of their demons to rest, by ending a seven-game winless run in the Championship last time out. As such, Birmingham travel north seeking their first back-to-back league wins of the season.

A win would also see the ‘Blues’ complete their first set of consecutive league wins over Middlesbrough since a run of three back in 2013. However, you must go all the way back to pre-war days (1933-35) to find the last time that Birmingham won consecutive away league games on Teesside!

Key battle: Middlesbrough have recorded four clean sheets from veteran centre-half Sol Bamba’s six league starts so far, following his man of the match performance last time out. Facing him will be forward Troy Deeney, who ended Birmingham’s run of six games without a goal last time out. He has scored six goals in his 12 career H2Hs with Middlesbrough.

Hot streak: No side in the entire EFL is on a longer run of league games featuring under 2.5 total goals than Middlesbrough’s six.​

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Blues View:

Preview: Middlesbrough v Blues

Blues visit Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

www.bcfc.com

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Blues visit Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.​

The trip to Teesside is the team's fifth and final outing of October and comes after a full week of preparation at the Club's Wast Hills Training Ground. This follows a fully-deserved win against Swansea City at St. Andrew's last weekend that built upon a battling point picked up at Huddersfield Town the Wednesday before.

Such results give Blues vital momentum heading to the Riverside - a venue at which they were victorious in January of this year - ahead of consecutive home fixtures against Bristol City ('kids for a quid') and Reading in B9.

Middlesbrough themselves go into the game on a hot streak of form. They have won three games on the spin, with each of these ending two-nil in favour of Boro, but would need to beat Blues for the first time in TS3 since August 2018 to extend this run to four matches.

Overall history is also against the hosts, with Blues having been successful nine more times in the fixture's history, including winning six of the first nine meetings when they were known as Small Heath.

THE OPPOSITION:
Middlesbrough head into the next round of Championship fixtures occupying the league's final play-off place, with 21 points from their 14 matches to date. This is the same return as each team from fifth down to ninth as the division continues to be fiercely contested across the board.

Boro have won half a dozen of their 14 games so far but are the lowest scorers in the top six, currently coming in as the 13th highest on such a metric. This explains why no man in red has found the net more than three times in all competitions.

Leading the scoring charts are Matt Crooks, a summer arrival from Rotherham United, and Slovenian Andraz Sporar - each also recording a single assist. The latter signed on loan from Sporting CP in August, with the move to Teesside meaning he has now played professionally in six different countries at the age of 27. These include his homeland, Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia and Portugal.

At the other end, goalkeeper Joe Lumley has the joint-third most clean sheets in the second tier, whilst nobody has won more defensive duels (76%) than Sol Bamba. The centre-back, who made a full recovery from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma this year, reunited with Neil Warnock two months ago when signing for Middlesbrough after previously being managed by the Yorkshireman at Cardiff City.

LAST TIME OUT:

A spirited Blues overcame Swansea in the Second City to land their first win of October. A slow burn of a game was well and truly brought to life just two minutes into the second-half as Troy Deeney put the hosts ahead from Tahith Chong's centre. This seemed set to be the winner until Michael Obafemi's leveller inside the final quarter of an hour. But driven by the biggest home crowd of the campaign to date, Blues found another gear and substitute Riley McGree persisted to stick home the winner.

Middlesbrough also claimed three points against South Wales opposition as they won their fourth game in five with a comfortable success over Cardiff City. Andraz Sporar opened the scoring with a composed penalty after Mark McGuinness was penalised for handball ten minutes before the break. The Bluebirds did hit the crossbar through Aden Flint after the interval, but Boro wrapped matters up through Martin Payero 17 minutes from time.

WE MEET AGAIN:

Middlesbrough 0 Blues 1, 16 January 2021

Blues picked up their first maximum of the new year in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the Riverside. A textbook away performance saw the away team take a deserved lead and then show the defensive resilience to limit Middlesbrough to half-chances. Scott Hogan was the matchwinner thanks to his close-range finish in the 26th-minute which came on the end of a stylish team move where Ivan Sanchez' flick laid on the assist from Maxime Colin.

BLUES TEAM NEWS:

Maxime Colin remains sidelined, whilst Ivan Sunjic has not trained so far this week.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Blues wins: 46

Draws: 36

Middlesbrough wins: 37

LAST FIVE MEETINGS:

Championship 16 Jan 2021: Middlesbrough 0-1 Blues

Championship 19 Dec 2020: Blues 1-4 Middlesbrough

Championship 21 Jan 2020: Middlesbrough 1-1 Blues

Championship 04 Oct 2019: Blues 2-1 Middlesbrough

Championship 12 Jan 2019: Blues 1-2 Middlesbrough

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Boro v Birmingham City Record - The last ten years.
​

 

[Billyzin]

4 in a row would be very welcome.

 

[r00fie1]

Flash back:

Middlesbrough v Birmingham City 1978-79 BURNS ASHCROFT GOAL​

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Match Preview
[Courtesy of Sportsmole: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...gham-prediction-team-news-lineups_468558.html]​

Preview: Middlesbrough vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups​

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 1d

Middlesbrough play host to Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon looking to post a fourth successive win, a result which would strengthen their position in the Championship playoff places.

Meanwhile, Blues make the long trip to the Riverside Stadium on the back of ending a seven-match winless streak in the second tier.

Before the October international break, Middlesbrough had failed to post successive wins, something which naturally kept the club no higher than mid-table.

However, Boro have turned a corner since the middle of the month, recording three victories in a row against Peterborough United, Barnsley and Cardiff City.

While the level of opposition should be taken into account before any of their supporters get carried away, Neil Warnock will be delighted with the maximum return.

Boro have still not scored more than twice in a game this season, but three consecutive 2-0 triumphs have left the team with one of the best defensive records in the division.

Andraz Sporar has also found his feet in the North-East, contributing two goals and an assist during his last two appearances.

© Reuters

Birmingham are still waiting for Troy Deeney to have a similar impact at St Andrew's after making the transfer to his boyhood club in August.

Nevertheless, the forward produced his best performance of the season against Swansea City last time out, getting on the scoresheet as Blues won 2-1 against the Welsh side.

On the back of a narrow defeat at neighbours West Bromwich Albion, Lee Bowyer's side have now collected four points from two games, a necessary return to keep clear of the relegation zone.

While there are currently 12 places separating the two clubs, an away victory on Saturday will see Birmingham move to within two points of their hosts.

Middlesbrough Championship form:​

• L​
• W​
• L​
• W​
• W​
• W​

Birmingham City Championship form:​

• D​
• L​
• L​
• L​
• D​
• W​

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Team News​

© Reuters

Barring any further injury issues, Middlesbrough boss Warnock may feel comfortable with selecting the same starting lineup.

Isaiah Jones and Duncan Watmore are alternatives on the left flank and in attack respectively, potentially getting the nod over Onel Hernandez and Uche Ikpeazu.

Warnock has previously revealed that none of the club's absentees are likely to make their returns before the international break.

Bowyer could see no reason to tinker with the Blues team which started the victory over Swansea.

While Riley McGree made an impact off the substitutes' bench, Scott Hogan is likely to retain his place in the side.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; McNair, Bamba, Peltier; Howson, Tavernier, Crooks, Hernandez; Payero; Ikpeazu, Sporar

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Sanderson, Roberts, Friend; Graham, Gardner, Sunjic, Pedersen; Hogan, Chong; Deeney
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We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Birmingham City​

With Blues seemingly back on track, Bowyer will be optimistic that they can earn a positive result in the North-East. However, we can only back Boro to make it four wins in a row, a result which may give them some breathing space in the race for the top six.

R00fie say: 2-0 Boro


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Floodlights on:

Kenny Burns

Burns in his heyday was a fiery player for Birmingham - and later Forest, being a legend for both clubs. Here, he reflects on his days as a professional footballer with the Birmingham Mail. [Published 2015].
​

Birmingham City legend Kenny Burns recalls celebrating in front of the Holte End

Not even seven trophies in three seasons and a host of personal accolades could obscure Kenny Burns' pain at leaving St Andrew's

www.birminghammail.co.uk

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Birmingham City legend Kenny Burns recalls celebrating in front of the Holte End​

Not even seven trophies in three seasons and a host of personal accolades could obscure Kenny Burns' pain at leaving St Andrew's

Kenny Burns enjoyed breathtaking success as a Nottingham Forest player, yet even now the pride of all he achieved is still tinged with the pain of ever having to leave Birmingham City in the first place.

In July 1977 the Scotland international transferred across the Midlands and became an instant smash.

The converted centre-forward returned to his former position in central defence and in his first year at Forest was named Footballer of the Year as Brian Clough’s side won both the First Division title and the League Cup.

That was the start of a period of unprecedented success as Burns, Clough and Forest won seven major trophies in three seasons, including two remarkable European Cups.

Yet even though he became one of the most decorated players in history, the 62-year-old still insists he never wanted to leave St Andrew’s.

“What are my memories of playing for Blues? First and foremost, incredible enjoyment,” Burns says.

“Probably one of the saddest days I had was when I had to leave because I loved Birmingham.

“It was a great time to be at the club. I had come up through the youth team with players like Joe Gallagher, Paul Hendrie and Steve Phillips and there was a great bond between us as we made our way into the first team.

“But in 1977 I was on holiday with my girlfriend at the time and manager Willie Bell phoned me and told me they’d agreed a fee with Nottingham Forest and that Brian Clough would be in touch.

Kenny Burns during his days with Blues in the mid-1970s (Image: Mirrorpix)

“A couple of days later he was, I signed on the Sunday and reported to Forest for pre-season training on the Monday.

“For whatever reason I just didn’t get on with Willie Bell, things went a little bit sour. He’d say to me that I was always complaining and didn’t like training and in a way he was right.

“I did complain and I didn’t enjoy training but on a Saturday you could guarantee you’d get 100 per cent out of me every week.

“I was successful at Nottingham Forest but I think if you ask anybody if they are happy doing what they are doing that would be enough for them. I was happy, very happy.

“You hear about people moving clubs these days and saying ‘I want to go to win trophies’ for me that’s just s****. You stay where you are happy.”

And for Burns that was with Blues, whom he’d joined in 1970 as an apprentice having come down from Glasgow Rangers.

He had a trial and was asked if he wanted to sign. He asked Blues if he could decide after his trial with Crystal Palace but was told ‘We might not want you next week’.

“I said to them ‘Pass me the pen’.” He signed and promptly moved into digs in Alum Rock with a landlady called Aunt Daisy.

Many of his early appearances came at centre-half but he moved up front on a more permanent basis in 1974.

His aerial prowess and physical approach was the perfect complement for the contrasting skills of Bob Hatton and Trevor Francis and Blues were never out of the top tier – until that side broke up.

Off the pitch he moved out to Tamworth and despite what Bell thought, after he replaced Freddie Goodwin in September 1975, he was truly content.

Of course, scoring two hat-tricks against Leicester and four against Derby would buoy even the most reluctant of trainers.

But his favourite goal came at Villa Park in September 1976 when he rammed home Francis’ cross and gave it the old double fist pump in front of the Holte End.

Birmingham City's Kenny Burns in action against Aston Villa

“They took that in the spirit you’d imagine, they were calling me every name under the sun and throwing stuff at me. They always held that against me after that but I loved it.”

By contrast, his relationship with the Blues supporters endures to this day. On his part the affection remains undimmed.

“I cannot speak highly enough about them. For what they have been through they are so loyal. If they’d have been winning trophies every year like some clubs there’d be 50-60,000 there every week.

“The passion Birmingham City fans have for their club is unbelievable.”

And Burns remembers that even now, every bit as much as the two League Cups, two European Cups, First Division title, Charity Shield and European Super Cup.
​

 

[r00fie1]

Dont Forget:

The Game against Birmingham is our Remembrance Day Fixture.
We shall remember the fallen, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, those who have served and those still serving around the world.





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[Badonde]

Hope George Friend gets a very warm reception.
Hope Neil Warnock gets recognition for his 1601st game in charge - matching the English all time record.
UTB

 

[r00fie1]

It was only 5 years ago:

Birmingham vs Boro preview: Huge evening awaits at St Andrew's

Aitor Karanka's side can move to within one win of the Premier League with a positive result at St Andrew's

www.gazettelive.co.uk

Birmingham City vs Middlesbrough FC preview: Boro look to move top of the Championship with a win at St Andrew's​

Middlesbrough FC will move top of the Championship table and lay down a marker to Burnley and Brighton with a win at Birmingham City tonight.

A draw will actually be enough to see Aitor Karanka's side clamber to the summit, with the Clarets and Seagulls set to play on Bank Holiday Monday.

All three teams are tied on 87 points with only two games remaining, and Boro know a win at St Andrew's - a recent house of pain - will see them move to within touching distance of the Premier League.

With Brighton set to come to the Riverside next Saturday, Boro know nothing will be decided this evening - but the Teessiders will be keen to get back to winning ways after two straight draws.

Boro have only won once at St Andrew’s since 1978 - with that anomaly coming in August 2005 when Mark Viduka’s brace inspired the team to a 3-0 success.

Since then, it’s five without a win there - and the history books make pretty glum reading in England’s second city. In total, it’s one victory in 18 for Boro at Birmingham.

Can Aitor Karanka end another Boro away day hoodoo? Here's a preview ahead of tonight's 7.45pm kick-off.
​

Likely line-ups​

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Team news - Doubt over George Friend ​

Boro will wait until the eleventh hour to make a decision on full-back George Friend.

The left-back was forced to sit out of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Ipswich due to a hamstring injury, which he picked up at Turf Moor on April 19.

Should Friend be unable to feature tonight, Ritchie De Laet could again deputise.

Birmingham goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak (broken nose) is doubtful, along with full-back Paul Caddis (calf).

Jon Toral (hamstring) and Jacques Maghoma (ankle) are definitely out.
​

Aitor Karanka on Birmingham - 'Nobody gives us an easy game' ​

"It’s difficult because nobody gives us an easy game.

“We played against Bolton who were playing for nothing and it was difficult, we played against Ipswich and they celebrated the point like they’d won a final.

“The end to the season can’t disguise what a good job (Birmingham manager) Gary Rowett has done, but it’s in our hands and we have to win.

Gary Rowett and Aitor Karanka

“We’ve done nothing yet. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to say my feelings (about what promotion would mean), but at the moment I’ve done nothing yet.

“We have to keep going and look forward to the game on Friday. We’re in a good position and I’m really proud to be here.

“To play on Friday and win, then rest for eight days knowing we’ve won our game and that promotion is in our hands would be nice.” ​

Our verdict - Jonathon Taylor - 'It's now about momentum'​

"In a strange way, tonight’s game at St Andrew’s won’t be decisive in the race for automatic promotion.

“Should Boro win, then it would put them in the perfect position to finish the job against Brighton next weekend.

“But should Aitor Karanka’s side drop points, they would still get a second bite of the cherry when the Seagulls arrive at the Riverside in eight days’ time.

“However, it’s now about momentum. Although Boro have played well of late, Karanka won’t want his side to go into a must-win game against Brighton on the back of three draws.”
​

Boro form guide - 'This is a team in decent nick' ​

Boro are unbeaten in eight matches since the farce at Charlton, winning six.

But it’s two straight draws in the Championship - after being pegged back in the last minute at Burnley, before Saturday’s stalemate with Ipswich at the Riverside.

That run of form leaves Boro in a three-way tie at the top of the division, with two matches remaining.​

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Last Time Out:
[2016]

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[r00fie1]

It seems like yesterday:

Trevor Francis.
Britains first one-million pound player - when Brian Clough signed him for Forest.
Considered "the wonder kid" at Brum - Cloughie put him into the reserves.







Can you name the year?

Bob Latchford.
Birmingham stalwart.
Training with England - in that famous "Admiral" strip.


Birmingham City are what we might call a "yo-yo" club?
But looking at Wolves and West Broms history - they must be in there somewhere?

 

[Tomato Soup]

 

[r00fie1]

From The Gaffa`s Mouth


Courtesy of The Northern Echo: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...-says-returning-george-friend-fantastic-boro/

Neil Warnock says returning George Friend was fantastic for him at Boro ​

By Matty Jones. Digital Sports Writer.

GEORGE Friend will return to the Riverside Stadium tomorrow afternoon in front of Middlesbrough fans for the first time since he left the club.

Friend is now sporting the blue of Birmingham City and is likely to be in the starting line-up for tomorrow’s game. The 34-year-old did play against Boro last season but in front of an empty stand during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to the Northern Echo, Friend is looking forward to playing in front of the fans and admitted that his proudest moment in a Boro shirt was helping keep the club up in his final year under the tenureship of Neil Warnock.

That’s something that the Boro boss says is a testament to his character.

“He was amazing” said Warnock.

“I didn’t think he’d come back from the injury until the end of the season but we all had to really roll the sleeves up and George was just as determined to roll the sleeves up.

“Anything I asked him to do, he said look ‘if you make it possible gaffer, I’ll do it’ and that’s what he did. We just knuckled in to get the points because it would have been a disaster if Middlesbrough (went down). Make no mistake, we were close. I wasn’t as easy as what it looked at the end.

“George realised what it was like and like I say, he was just fantastic for me.

“I think sometimes there is a right time to leave.

“Talking to George, I think he realised it was the right time. I offered him a year which I thought was what he deserved.

“But he came from the Midlands and he got a good two year offer so it was a non-starter really. I just wished him all the best because he’s such a good lad.

“Throughout his time, wherever he’s been in his career, he’s been an absolute credit to the jersey. I just hope he’s disappointed when he gets on the bus to go home.”

Boro are currently on a three match winning run and will come up against 18th placed Birmingham City looking to make it four in a row.

The game comes too soon for Boro’s injury hit defence but luckily for Warnock and his men, there are no new injury concerns in the squad.
Ahead of the game, Warnock has been talkling about his counterpart, Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer who has caught his eye in his early career.

Both managers are at the opposite ends of their careers with Warnock set to rock up a milestone 1,601st game in English football.

He's been watching Bowyer's side and says his players need to be up for the battle at the Riverside.

The Boro boss added: “They are very direct and strong and physical. They’ve got some good players.

“Lee (Bowyer) came in and did a really good job and kept them up flyingly and then took it on a bit.

“We know that they’re going to be throwing long throws from the half way line. That’s what you get really. I’m only jealous because we haven’t got one.

“I’ve only looked at him from afar, I think he’s always done well.

“He’s always had his heart on his sleeve. I think he talks a lot of common sense and is an up and coming manager.

“You get blemishes where you get a few results on you and then you turn it around. That’s how you get your experience. He’s only going to get better in the next few years.”

Bowyer may now be the picture of pragmatism and calm - but was known in his playing days for letting his team mates know just what he thought......

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[r00fie1]

Just in case you missed it:

This week, Josh Cavallo was the first senior league footballer in the world to openly declare he is "Gay and proud".
He described how he has lead a "double life" during the "last six years" - avoiding social occasions with other players to protect himself from potentially awkward situations.

Football has a long way to go to fight discrimination and prejudice: not only amongst fans, but within the higher echelons of the game - the Boardrooms, Managers, coaches and Football Federations. We havent yet got to grips with the issue of racism - which continues to blight the beautiful game. Josh`s honesty and courage has lit the touchpaper, to inspire those in the game and outside, to fight for a change in attitudes and behaviours. He has become an icon, a role model and inspiration, for all those who have for years hidden their real selves just to play football.



Josh has received support from the worlds greatest football stars and the biggest clubs on the planet:










Continued......

 

[r00fie1]

Josh Cavallo [Continued]












And from Patrick Bamford.

Follow the link for the full interview:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1454132357129199616

 

[r00fie1]

Through the lens:

For all those lucky blighters in warmer, brighter parts of the globe,
here are some of the most recent pictures [live] from around the region.
[courtesy of meteoblue: https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/webcams/middlesbrough_united-kingdom_2642607 ]

[06:40 GMT]

Thirsk Market Place


Fylingthorpe - Robin Hoods Bay


Durham Cathedral


North Tyneside


The Weather map for Middlesbrough [07:02 GMT] shows a cool 9 degrees.

Middlesbrough F.C. (Middlesbrough) weather

Middlesbrough F.C. 7 day weather forecast including weather warnings, temperature, rain, wind, visibility, humidity and UV

www.metoffice.gov.uk

The Forecast for today`s game:

 

[Erimus74]

Its that time again.....

View attachment 26946 View attachment 26945



View attachment 26951

Not too many weeks ago, us Boro fans were trudging back from a miserable match at Hull: wet, cold and wazzed off. It seemed like we ciuldnt hit a cows arz with a banjo and had the consistency of a Pukka Pie. Some thought 5,000,000 GBP`s Peyero would have more splinters in his arz than a carpenters forefinger. Something happened - despite all the talk of a "crisis" - those players who were available stood up to the plate and proved you dont have to be paid a fortune to perform at your best.

The Gaffa`s hands have been tied - which has proven an advantage.
Some of the lads might not have had their chance - so hopefully, returning players will find it difficult to get back into the team.

Why change a winning team?​

View attachment 26943

Who would have believed we could score six goals in the last three games - keep three clean sheets and be sitting on the edge of the play-offs!
Nah!
Not Boro - not our Small Town in Europe.
So here goes for a fourth win in a row [honest!]​

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Today`s Fixtures [Saturday 30th October]
View attachment 26947

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A draw for Luton at Preston, and a much needed win at home for Hull against Coventry, could see Boro up to fourth [4th!] in the Championship.
I must have that wrong?

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The Championship Table after the 1-1 draw between QPR and Forest [Friday 29th October 2021].
View attachment 26949

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Match summary:
[Courtesy of Flashscore.co.uk - https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/YDpCiCQp/#match-summary ]

It may be Halloween week, but there’s been nothing spooky about Middlesbrough’s form, with the Teessiders ghosting their way to three consecutive 2-0 victories ahead of this clash. Those have seen manager Neil Warnock equal a personal-best run of straight wins in his 72 games at the club to date, and propelled his charges into the top six.

There are no skeletons in the cupboard as far as Warnock-managed sides facing Birmingham are concerned, as his teams have scored a considerable 11 goals across the last four meetings (W3, L1). Another strong showing is expected here from a Boro side that have won ‘to nil’ in four of their last five games, including three straight home league games.

Though goalless in four straight away league games, Birmingham recently put some of their demons to rest, by ending a seven-game winless run in the Championship last time out. As such, Birmingham travel north seeking their first back-to-back league wins of the season.

A win would also see the ‘Blues’ complete their first set of consecutive league wins over Middlesbrough since a run of three back in 2013. However, you must go all the way back to pre-war days (1933-35) to find the last time that Birmingham won consecutive away league games on Teesside!

Key battle: Middlesbrough have recorded four clean sheets from veteran centre-half Sol Bamba’s six league starts so far, following his man of the match performance last time out. Facing him will be forward Troy Deeney, who ended Birmingham’s run of six games without a goal last time out. He has scored six goals in his 12 career H2Hs with Middlesbrough.

Hot streak: No side in the entire EFL is on a longer run of league games featuring under 2.5 total goals than Middlesbrough’s six.​

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View attachment 26952View attachment 26953​

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Blues View:

Preview: Middlesbrough v Blues

Blues visit Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.

www.bcfc.com

​

Blues visit Middlesbrough in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.​

The trip to Teesside is the team's fifth and final outing of October and comes after a full week of preparation at the Club's Wast Hills Training Ground. This follows a fully-deserved win against Swansea City at St. Andrew's last weekend that built upon a battling point picked up at Huddersfield Town the Wednesday before.

Such results give Blues vital momentum heading to the Riverside - a venue at which they were victorious in January of this year - ahead of consecutive home fixtures against Bristol City ('kids for a quid') and Reading in B9.

Middlesbrough themselves go into the game on a hot streak of form. They have won three games on the spin, with each of these ending two-nil in favour of Boro, but would need to beat Blues for the first time in TS3 since August 2018 to extend this run to four matches.

Overall history is also against the hosts, with Blues having been successful nine more times in the fixture's history, including winning six of the first nine meetings when they were known as Small Heath.

THE OPPOSITION:
Middlesbrough head into the next round of Championship fixtures occupying the league's final play-off place, with 21 points from their 14 matches to date. This is the same return as each team from fifth down to ninth as the division continues to be fiercely contested across the board.

Boro have won half a dozen of their 14 games so far but are the lowest scorers in the top six, currently coming in as the 13th highest on such a metric. This explains why no man in red has found the net more than three times in all competitions.

Leading the scoring charts are Matt Crooks, a summer arrival from Rotherham United, and Slovenian Andraz Sporar - each also recording a single assist. The latter signed on loan from Sporting CP in August, with the move to Teesside meaning he has now played professionally in six different countries at the age of 27. These include his homeland, Switzerland, Germany, Slovakia and Portugal.

At the other end, goalkeeper Joe Lumley has the joint-third most clean sheets in the second tier, whilst nobody has won more defensive duels (76%) than Sol Bamba. The centre-back, who made a full recovery from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma this year, reunited with Neil Warnock two months ago when signing for Middlesbrough after previously being managed by the Yorkshireman at Cardiff City.

LAST TIME OUT:

A spirited Blues overcame Swansea in the Second City to land their first win of October. A slow burn of a game was well and truly brought to life just two minutes into the second-half as Troy Deeney put the hosts ahead from Tahith Chong's centre. This seemed set to be the winner until Michael Obafemi's leveller inside the final quarter of an hour. But driven by the biggest home crowd of the campaign to date, Blues found another gear and substitute Riley McGree persisted to stick home the winner.

Middlesbrough also claimed three points against South Wales opposition as they won their fourth game in five with a comfortable success over Cardiff City. Andraz Sporar opened the scoring with a composed penalty after Mark McGuinness was penalised for handball ten minutes before the break. The Bluebirds did hit the crossbar through Aden Flint after the interval, but Boro wrapped matters up through Martin Payero 17 minutes from time.

WE MEET AGAIN:

Middlesbrough 0 Blues 1, 16 January 2021

Blues picked up their first maximum of the new year in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the Riverside. A textbook away performance saw the away team take a deserved lead and then show the defensive resilience to limit Middlesbrough to half-chances. Scott Hogan was the matchwinner thanks to his close-range finish in the 26th-minute which came on the end of a stylish team move where Ivan Sanchez' flick laid on the assist from Maxime Colin.

BLUES TEAM NEWS:

Maxime Colin remains sidelined, whilst Ivan Sunjic has not trained so far this week.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

Blues wins: 46

Draws: 36

Middlesbrough wins: 37

LAST FIVE MEETINGS:

Championship 16 Jan 2021: Middlesbrough 0-1 Blues

Championship 19 Dec 2020: Blues 1-4 Middlesbrough

Championship 21 Jan 2020: Middlesbrough 1-1 Blues

Championship 04 Oct 2019: Blues 2-1 Middlesbrough

Championship 12 Jan 2019: Blues 1-2 Middlesbrough

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Boro v Birmingham City Record - The last ten years.
View attachment 26960​

Morning r00fie lad, another cracking match day thread

 

[r00fie1]

See you later people.
Lets hope for a win.
Four on the bounce.

 

[r00fie1]

Morning r00fie lad, another cracking match day thread

Just off up north mate.
See ya later.
UTMB.

 

[boroboy6872]

3-1 Boro

UTB

Safe journey to all who are going to the match today

 

[Maccarone]

C'mon Boro, chance to go 4th Today, can you believe that.
C'mon Boro

 

[Oooo]

Good to get the points today as we have tougher games coming soon. I say 2-0 boro

 

[Centralscrutinizer]

Great OP's Roofie. Better than getting a program

 

[Cress]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1454432896605999106