Derby and Boro

[The Great Mass Debater]

Middlesbrough's next 2 games - Milwall at home and Forest away

After that though they are at home to Ipswich, away to Derby and away to Bournemouth.   Something has to give in those games

Derby are away to Brighton and home to Birmingham. 

Then theyre away to us, home to Boro, away to Wolves and home to Watford. They then play Wigan and then Brentford.

That is a tough run for both teams

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

If Chris Hughton does us a favour and Brighton beat Derby on Tuesday night, and Boro fail to beat Milwall, we would be in a position to go top if we beat Wigan the following night

 

[TA Canary]

That's a little optimistic but with the way things have been going lately I wouldn't bet against it.

More likely the game against Derby will be our chance to go top with a win.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Hughton did his bit at least. Cant go top tonight, but we can leapfrog Derby with a win and move into the automatic promotion positions (second) just a point behind Boro and with a superior GD (we will have if we win).

Happy with that     Must get the job done tonight. No slip-ups

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Also worth noting that a 3-0 win tonight would give us the best GD in the division.  Not getting ahead of anything, but nice to flag up ahead of the game what is achievable

 

[Moosheep]

It is so tight at the top I can see any of the top 7 thinking automatic promotion is feasible. Come the last day of the season I wouldn't be surprised if there are four or five teams still contending the top two spots. A couple of poor results from any team and it will really dent their chances. The teams that clinch those two top spots will be the teams that show consistency in the run in. Fingers crossed we can keep up our good run.

Moo 

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I've always rated that Hughton bloke!    But seriously, he's done us a huge favour.  We've got a good opportunity to make some ground on the automatics this week.  

I have a feeling it's going to be the kind of season which is decided at the tough away games we have left,  such as Huddersfield/Rotherham etc.  

 

[mustard gas]

Sorry Moo, on the last day of the season there may be several teams vying for automatic promotion, but I can see only one place being available on that day. They will be playing for second place. No prizes for guessing who I am convinced will be in first place. Going to bed in a minute, have to get up at 3:30am to follow the game.

 

[Suffolk Canary]

 Going to bed in a minute, have to get up at 3:30am to follow the game.

Loving that dedication!  Hope the team give you something worth waking up for

 

[Moosheep]

Sorry Moo, on the last day of the season there may be several teams vying for automatic promotion, but I can see only one place being available on that day. They will be playing for second place. No prizes for guessing who I am convinced will be in first place.

I hope you are right.

Sleep well

 

[Trevmuttley]

I have a feeling that between now and the 2nd of May we are in for one heck of a ride!m

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

With the top of the table being so tight, and generally the top teams having been fairly consistent, wouldnt be surprised if this goes right to the wire

 

[Din]

The end to this season is going to be incredible, it's impossible to call at this stage who the top 2 will be.

If we can continue our superb run of form, then you would think that we would start to open up a slight gap, as we're really the only side who have been consistent in both results and performances over the last 6/7 games. All if's and but's at the moment though.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Boro have lost 3 out of their last 5 games. Their next three matches are at home to Ipswich, away to Derby and away to Bournemouth.   Something has to give in those games

Derby have lost two and drawn one of their last 3 games. Next theyre away to us, home to Boro, away to Wolves and home to Watford. They then play Wigan and then Brentford.

Our form for comparison? Won 7 of our last 8

 

[Yellow Fever]

We definitely need to pick up points on those two in the next 3 games. The derby match just gets bigger and bigger.

 

[Salopian]

Strangely, I feel more confident about Middlesboro, even if it's because we have the motivation that we owe them a beating, but they are a good side, especially if they sign Rhodes.

Derby, as the earlier of the two matches in some ways is more crucial. A win would do wonders for our confidence and frighten other teams. They have injuries like us, with Martin unlikely to be fit in time, but they will be smarting from the two points they gave away against Birmingham. To say that they will be up for it may one of the biggest understatements ever made. This is the match I want to get out of the way, even though I suspect that our record of surrendering to the small fry may be maintained afterwards..

 

[Beagle]

Hi guys Derby fan here for a friendly chat looking forward to this game be nice to play against a team who will not try and defend for 90 minutes and hit us with a sucker punch.Should be a open game between two good footballing teams but now i have said that will turn out to be boring 0-0.

Just a quick update following Steve McClarens press conference this afternoon our best midfielder George Thorne is back in the squad and training we are much better with him in the team.He has just comeback from his serious injury played a few games and was outstanding then picked up a little muscle problem which is usual after so long out be interesting to see how he goes.

But the one you are most interested in is Chris Martin and he has a good chance of featuring Mac said he is training fully tomorrow and he is in contention to make some sort of appearance.

We have had a dip but have been playing ok going forward but giving away soft goals just had the one poor game overall at Fulham we tend to play better against the better teams so I am hopeful of at least a draw.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Think if Derby get promoted this year theyll need to say a big thank you for the 2 points we have gifted them this season