* The Original Unofficial "Official" Boro v West Brom. Match-Day Thread *

It is consecutive seasons, but I don't think it's a coincidence that an article written to show that finishing 3rd is a huge advantage in the play-offs deliberately excluded the two most recent seasons where 3rd didn't win it and included two seasons from further back where they did.

It's obviously not a complete lottery, the team in 3rd is usually the 3rd best team in the league and will win more than the team that finished 6th, but it's more akin to cup football than the league.
Where I would disagree with the cup analogy, tc, is that teams play weakened sides in the early rounds. Back in the 80's there was a group of only 5 sides that won the cup, almost, all the time. Because teams wanted to win the fa cup, as opposed to, finishing 4th being a bigger prize.

The 2 domestic cups have turned in to a "lottery" because the prem teams play their reserves.
 
I think I’d rather storm the championship next season rather than go up this via the play offs , which is what I’d put my money on us doing - I’m very often wrong though 😁
 
I’ve noticed a few posters crawling out of the woodwork.
I noticed that Terrier.
The ones who have knives to stick in peoples backs, have axes to grind and planks on their shoulders.
The sort who are the barrack-room lawyer and the pub brawler.
Thats not to say that constructive criticism isnt welcome, but some of the bollax about todays game negates the progress in 118 days - from the arze end of relegation to 3rd, with essentially the same squad of players.
It amazes sometime, that some need a brain test - not just an eye test.
Thinking laterally appears to be difficult to understand for some.
Perspective is really important.
Big picture!

" Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, Carrick is doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" [Isaiah 43:18-19]
;)
 
I would already disagree with that IMO, yes his decision making is subject to critics due to his slow attitude but as a shot stopper he has made many big saves for us this season which people ironically forget, once they have a chip on there back under a certain player
His expected goals prevent before todays was pretty much 1v1

He’s not a good keeper
 
Hes played in every game thats taken us from 21st to 3rd in 118 days.
In the best run any Manager has had in our 147 year history.
He cant be that "bad".
Michael Carrick called him "our first line of attack" and says he has no concernsa about his abilities.
Today was as much about our defence as anything else.
He gives me the jitters sometimes, but do we want Lumley or Daniels?
Nah.
 
From watching that performance, if WBA and Boro were in the Premier League, I'd expect us to fare better with the type of football we play rather than how WBA played yesterday on the counter.
 
From watching that performance, if WBA and Boro were in the Premier League, I'd expect us to fare better with the type of football we play rather than how WBA played yesterday on the counter.
We need to fine tune the way we split apart tight mid-fields like yesterday. QPR were similar - particularly in the first half. Perhaps at times we need to "go long" - their defence was squeeky and their goalie is definitely a "flapper" - but they got it just right yesterday. Now we are up top, we must expect teams to park the bus. We have to overcome that. Thats our next challenge and our next step-up.
 
We need to fine tune the way we split apart tight mid-fields like yesterday. QPR were similar - particularly in the first half. Perhaps at times we need to "go long" - their defence was squeeky and their goalie is definitely a "flapper" - but they got it just right yesterday. Now we are up top, we must expect teams to park the bus. We have to overcome that. Thats our next challenge and our next step-up.
I think it is fair to say that we do mix it up a bit. Sometimes play short intricate passes up the field. Mixed with some very good cross field balls. Mixed with some long passes from the back, primarily up to Archer.

It by-and-large works, obviously. Sometimes you just don't get the rub of the green.

I am convinced that if Jones shot goes in, we see a very different game, or if we don't concede 2 so early we see a different game.

One final point. For their second goal, why is steffan taking all the blame? They walked through our defence/midfield like it wasn't even there.
 
He made a number of top saves to stop it going to 2-2 or worse, but then we could have scored more on the break as well. It was one of those weird days where he had a storming game but made an absolute mess of one goal…glad I’m not a goalkeeper
 
He made a number of top saves to stop it going to 2-2 or worse, but then we could have scored more on the break as well. It was one of those weird days where he had a storming game but made an absolute mess of one goal…glad I’m not a goalkeeper
Yes Schwarzer was a top keeper for us over a lot of seasons, my point which received a sneering response from another poster was that even the best goalkeepers make mistakes.
 
I think it is fair to say that we do mix it up a bit. Sometimes play short intricate passes up the field. Mixed with some very good cross field balls. Mixed with some long passes from the back, primarily up to Archer.

It by-and-large works, obviously. Sometimes you just don't get the rub of the green.

I am convinced that if Jones shot goes in, we see a very different game, or if we don't concede 2 so early we see a different game.

One final point. For their second goal, why is steffan taking all the blame? They walked through our defence/midfield like it wasn't even there.
Cant answer your last point. I dont know.
My question is, how do we break down teams who crowd the midfield and defend as a ten?
 
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