Boro Banter - Join the debate with Boro fans, staff writers and club legends

IS IT COS I IS AT HOME?

2012-04-29T10:20:07Z

It's somehow appropriate that, having seen off now promoted Southampton last week with an 'away at home' performance and result, Boro rounded off their season with their 'at home, away' version.

'We just fell short' was Mogga's summation of season and match. Yep, just about right - and just about what most of us predicted as the campaign started, so it's difficult to be too disappointed - without saying that there hasn't been much about the season that we can and should be disappointed about. Just like yesterday's game.

It took a little while for Boro to get going at Vicarage Road but they then dominated the first half without scoring against a very limited and physical but not untypical Championship side. So far, so very 'at home, away'.

To be fair, they did also encounter a decent young 'keeper in Scott Loach - returning after the birth of his child - in decent form but, nonetheless, The Teessiders should have made their dominance count, but didn't. You sort of knew what was coming, even as Palace took the lead against Cardiff at Selhurst.

In true 'only play one half' style, Boro were never really 'at it' in the same way in the second period and gradually, their game dropped to bits and let Watford back in. Mogga was also consistent in his use of subs with most of the season - he brought on two, doubtless designed to 'go for it', but the changes just contributed to the midfield disintegration.

Sadly, Rolls Rhys looked well out of touch and as though he'd been out for as long as he had and, by long before the end, looked as though he was treading water - or treacle. Not to be unexpected. I think his best position is at centre back and hope to see him partnering Seb Hines there in August.

Iwelumo's goal that broke his drought of ages and got the lead for the home side was less of a surprise, to be honest, than the M&S equaliser with five minutes of the ninety left - because, by then, Mogga's Men looked to be firmly in 'won't score if they play 'til midnight' mode.

It was fitting, though, that it was Boro's top scorer that notched and that the assist was by Player of the Season, Barry Robson, on his swansong before heading to Canada. But the atmosphere in the away end was already subdued with Cardiff ahead.

In search of a winner that eluded them and would have proved nugatory anyway, Boro simply emptied their midfield and back four. Seb Hines and Big Mick went up front while Rhys Williams dropped back.

Surprise, surprise - they got done by a late sucker punch goal on the break from Deeney and succumbed with a whimper to a team whose limitations make 'run of the mill' a compliment.

Overall, so very 'at home, away'. The unseasonal cold and wet of this spring just seemed in keeping with events too.

Some other consistencies from yesterday - despite Tony Mc's performances last week and through the season, he was benched again yesterday in favour of Hoyte which ensured, as usual, that there was no service from the right and a weakness in defence on that side too.

Yet again, apart from Curtis Main, there was no sign of any of the young Academy talent on the pitch or in the dugout. Mogga might claim this was about having experience available to see Boro through - but what option or advantage does bringing Thomo back to the bench give you in a game you have to win?

And how does it help prepare those youngsters who - even according to Mogga - Boro are going to have to rely more on next term? Merouane Zemmama might also be scratching his head after his worldy free kick winner last time out and that he can bring something different from the bench to find himself banished to the outer darkness again.

Yet again, the need for some more craft and cleverness in the middle of the park that can unlock a defence - even one as workaday as Watford's - was underlined. The lack of any real pace and width was double underlined.

And, if you can underline a question mark, I still think the jury is very much out on The Jukebox - both as goalscorer and line leader.

Disturbing, when Mogga has called him the first building block in his new Boro. But, with the exception of Faris Har-ooo-oun - subbed yesterday as part of the midfield disintegration - I think the jury is pretty well 'twelve angry men' about all Mogga's signings this term.

It will be interesting, to say the least, to see what the Boro Boss does with the major turnover of the playing staff in the summer that will start with those out of contract at the end of June being read their fortunes tomorrow before the squad disperses for their holidays, some not to re-appear.

Chances are that whatever Mogga can bring in will depend less on fees than on looking at the 'out of contract' and 'season long loan' market elsewhere as others have a similar clearout as he proposes at Crockliffe and re-cycling whatever of the wage bill savings that Gibbo allows him when a few more of the high earners are moved on - balanced against those that the club is still stuck with.

The other question mark is quite what MFC will do - despite the protestations of support for Mogga in the summer - if those with deeper pockets come calling for the likes of Rolls Rhys and M&S.

But, let's finish on some positives. Another season long consistency in the away end at Vicarage Road yesterday. Yet again, The Travelling Parmo Army were magnificent, there in the noisy numbers and unwavering in their support.

They gave players and manager a great send off - even to those from whom their support deserved better. Let's hope they get it next term.

And, overall, seventh with seventy points represents progress in the final outcome over the last couple of seasons.

IT'S NOT THE DESPAIR THAT GETS YOU....

2012-04-27T09:41:21Z

....it's the hope!!

But, sometimes you just have to abandon yourself - not all hope - to your impulses and just take the plunge.

Like two thousand other Tee-tee-teessiders, my lad and I have little choice but to join Tony Mowbray's Red and White Travelling Parmo Army of Boro Boys again, heading - lemming like - to the edge of The Championship cliff, aka Vicarage Road, tomorrow.

On Anthony Vickers' blog this week the discussion topic has been 'what Typical Boro scenario will play out on Saturday?' My favourite flight of fantasy so far is Geordie la Forge's 'grassy knoll' like 'FA imposes penalty' conspiracy theory entry. You know, it could just happen - especially with The Count at the FA now!!

Though it will be difficult to stay off the iPhones and the pocket radios to see what's going on at Selhurst - payback for the Carling Cup semi defeat is what my Palace following workmates are after; and Palace beat Cardiff one nil at home in the first leg! - all Mogga's Men can do is what they need to do and win at Watford.

You'd think he'd trust that task to the same group of players that produced one of the season's best 'away at home' performances and results last time out and accepting - nay, hoping - that Hoyte's injury from that game keeps him sidelined.

That's despite the fact that Thomo may have recovered from the niggle that kept him out of the squad for the Saints game. In my view, the Scot should get nowhere near the bench, let alone the team. As 'twofootanidol' points out on AV's blog, an anagram of Kevin Thomson is 'Think moves on'. Quite.

The question might be, if Rolls Rhys is fit enough, does he start? And, if so, where? I don't think Mogga will want to disturb the defence that did such a stalwart job last weekend, so who will give way in midfield?

It probably won't be 'Player of the Season' Robbo - though he was subbed against The Saints - or Nicky Bailey who will be needed in the holding role or Faris Har-ooo-oun whose energy, drive and commitment in a wide right role will be required. So, it's likely to be free kick maestro, Merouane Zemmama who could come on from the bench if his particular brand of trickery and dead ball work is needed or to give Mogga an option.

What would be disastrous for Boro is to take Sean Dyche's Watford for granted or to start slowly again. I'm sure that message will have been banged home at Crockliffe this week but the players haven't always taken it on board in the past - though, admittedly, that's been more often at The Riverside than on the road. There'll be a decent crowd and atmosphere for the game - despite the early kick off and TV coverage - and that should help.

It would be a travesty if Cardiff go down at Selhurst only for Boro not to win at The Hornets. Another strange stat shows that the only time this season that Boro have won away on the same day that the Welsh side have lost is when Boro beat Cardiff, three two on their park!

No more analysis - this isn't the sort of game or occasion where it's needed or has a hope in hell of getting close to the truth. And, certainly, no predictions, except that - even as we charge for the cliff edge - we lemmings know it won't be straightforward or without its painful moments. This is Boro we're talking about! But we also know there's nowhere else we'd rather be!

And this is only for a place in the play offs!

C'Mon Boro!!

IS IT COS I IS AWAY?

2012-04-22T09:55:30Z

Typical Boro Mk II! Where did that 'save the best 'til last - and 'til it's almost too late' Riverside performance and win come from?

Was it, as Mogga hinted afterwards in terms of what his side looked like, that with the number supporting The Saints in the South Stand and Boro tagged by the national meeja as roadsweepers at a Southampton coronation parade, the Teessiders' mentality had slipped into 'we're away' mode?

Whatever, Mogga's Men produced the sort of guts and glory game that's most often been reserved for their travels this term and thrilled a Riverside crowd every bit as much as they'd turned them off against Donny only a few days earlier in a Typical Boro Mk 1 show.

We should have known when Boro conceded after just forty-six seconds - defending that was more Laurel and Hardy than Sasha Baron Cohen letting Lambert and Sharp in. Those two don't need gifts but they're happy to take them, if offered, and Boro's back line got in a tangle and knotted this one up with an ugly little bow!

After that, though, the South Coast bandwagon never rolled for the rest of the half as Boro made it one way traffic towards the South Stand.

It was great to see width in their play, for once, with Haro-ooo-oun being particularly effective on the right. Saints never got to grips, either, with the centre of the Boro midfield diamond with Robbo ahead of Bails in his favourite attacking midfield role.

Though The Reds peppered the Saints fans with their efforts on goal the forty-five ticked over without an effort on target to show for all the pressure.

Many were beginning to harbour the usual 'if you don't score - or even trouble the keeper - when you're on top....' thoughts when the ball dropped to Bails just outside the box in added time and his volley beat Davies with the aid of a nick off a Saints defender.

That would have changed the atmosphere in both dressing rooms at the break but at the start of the second half, Southampton came out like the top two side they are and threatened to sweep Boro aside and the Reds' defence hung on - desperately on occasion.

No more so than when Seb Hines, not long since yellow carded, upended Lallana from behind as he was shaping to shoot at the edge of Boro's box. Unaccountably, though he gave the free kick, Mr Bates declined to book the Boro defender and give him his marching orders. Saints couldn't capitalise from the set piece after they'd finished protesting and after that, the tide began to turn.

Credit to Mogga for 'must win - going for it' subs, of the sort he's often flinched from before, on the hour. The welcome return of Rolls Rhys replaced the leave-taking - to generous and deserved Riverside applause - Robbo and the lad with Hicktonite in his boots, Curtis Main came on for Scott McDonald, who had made little impression on this game.

Main's arrival took some of the weight off The Jukebox and allowed him to move into the middle. When Fox fouled the Boro forward with The Saints history just outside the box, Mr. Bates showed a fine sense of irony when he booked the defender as well as giving Boro the free kick!

Though Tony Mc - surely worth a new contract and the regular right back slot - had gone close with an earlier attempt, Merouane Zemmama stepped up and clipped an unstoppable dead ball kick up and over the wall and past the despairing Davies dive to put Boro ahead on seventy-seven.

Though Adkins men got desperate in the remaining nineteen minutes, Boro held them at bay and saw the game out professionally in best 'away at home' style.

This will surely be deferred gratification for Saints who will nail second place at home to relegated Coventry at St. Mary's next weekend - if The Hammers don't do the job for them at The King Power Stadium on Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, Blackpool and Brum had nailed their play off places but Cardiff had dropped points at home - with yet more 'Typical Boro' irony - to Leeds. That leaves the door, if not open, then very slightly ajar for Boro next weekend.

The Reds have to win away at Watford and rely on Palace beating Cardiff at Selhurst - a draw won't do. A few Palace supporting workmates texted me after the game yesterday evening to remind me that they owe Cardiff for denying them a Carling Cup Final appearance earlier in the season when the two clashed in the semis!

So, which 'Typical Boro' scenario will play out?

Boro win at Watford applies in both - but in one, Cardiff equalise in added time at Selhurst to leave Boro rueing their 'haven't scored enough' goal difference. And in the other? Palace hang on to win and Boro go on beat The Hammers at Wem-bur-lee to leave Fat Sam crying after another defeat in a final to The Reds.

Yer pays yer money and yer gets on the roller coaster again! Could it ever be any different for The Travelling Parmo Army and across The DiasBoro? Yerjokin'aren'ya!!

LOOK TO THE FUTURE NOW....

2012-04-20T09:44:48Z

....it's only just begun! So here it is - the last home game of a dreadful Riverside season - is everybody havin' fun? No, me neither.

By the time Boro and The Saints take the field in tomorrow's televised tea-time test the St. Mary's side won't know if they're promoted - The Hammers don't play until Monday evening - but Boro could well have the near inevitability of another season of The Championship confirmed if the Cardiff and Blackpool results have gone to form earlier in the day.

Any way round, it's time now to take the shackles off - just as Donny did last time out, knowing they had nothing more to lose - and have a go. Boro can only get beaten and that's just as likely anyway as another 'Typical Boro' effort, this time tonking a top two team rather than drawing with relegation fodder.

It's also time to focus on the future for Mogga - what's the point in expending game time on people that aren't going to be around or that he doesn't want to build a team around? Before any Fat Sam devotees get all hot under the bulging collar and choke on their gum about 'weakened team' - firstly, I could care less and, secondly, how can some of the younger 'development squad' do worse than their elders but not betters have at The Riverside recently?

The one exception I'd make is for Robbo. He deserves to strut his stuff one last time on Boro turf. Of the Scots imports, he's offered by far the best contribution, he can never be faulted for effort and commitment (sometimes to a fault, when it comes to his discipline on the field!) and many of his goals have been worthy of the admission money on their own. Take a bow, Robbo!

Assuming he isn't snapped up by a rival or, less likely, a Prem, team, Nicky Bailey will continue to be a stalwart next term. He should start too. With Adam Reach injured, I'm told, I'd complete the four with Haro-ooo-oun and Richie Smallwood and have Cameron Park on the bench, though I could be persuaded of vice versa with the two younger men. Halliday might make the dugout too.

Though Lukas-aid is defo a fixture for next season - being Mogga's 'first building block' of his new squad and team - he's looked like he's needed a gallon or two of the eponymous energy drink recently. So, the lad with Hicktonite in his boots - Curtis Main should partner M&S up front with The Jukebox and Luke Williams on the bench with Scott McDonald, if the Aussie can be shown to have improved his dressing room deameanour.

At the back, injuries mean that Big Mick will have to continue at centre back in front of the in form Jason Steele, unless young Atkinson is thrown in against Lambert and Do Prado. The youngster could make the bench, though. Seb Hines will play and Joe Bennett should be re-introduced at left back.

At right back, both Tony Mc and Justin Hoyte are out of contract at the end of June. There's only one of the two who's indicated he wants to stay and whose attitude, input and performances have meant he should have been preferred all along. Step forward Tony Mc - so long, Justin.

If the name isn't mentioned here, and regardless of whether we're still stuck with them on some inflated contract for another year, I don't want to see the rest anywhere near the pitch or bench tomorrow.

For The Saints, well - as Mogga would say - 'they are what they are'. And they are certainly one of the best two teams in the division over the season and pretty well nailed on for automatic promotion - whether or not they can start their promotion party on the pitch at The Riverside in front of what will probably be more fans than in the rest of the red plastic canyon.

What they also became, earlier in the season, were the first team to turn Boro over comprehensively in the reverse fixture. Not the last, so far, of course. If Boro don't want them to be the last, they should remember what it felt like to troop off at St. Mary's and bring out the 'can't wait to get them back to The Riverside' sentiments many expressed at the time.

If they are fired by those feelings, can get the shackles off, they can yet be promotion party poopers and send however many turn up tomorrow - and those across the TV, radio and internet DiasBoro - off from the last home game of this term with the feeling 'it's only just begun' and that everybody can have some fun at The Riverside, for once!

TYPICAL BORO

2012-04-17T20:10:12Z

The first half? Do you really want me to tell you? Typical Riverside Boro. Struggled to get going at any point, were lucky not to concede a pen that looked nailed on from a Seb Hines foul on Chris Brown and Jason Steele every but as busy - which was 'not very' - as Woods.

For your proverbial Martian, it would have been impossible to tell the side that had already been relegated from the one allegedly desperately trying for the play offs. But if you're looking for pace and energy in your midfield and Haro-oo-oun doesn't make it - who ya gonna call? Julio Arca, apparently, if you're Mogga.

Surprised at the audible frustration of the Riverside faithful? No, me neither.

Lots of naff all happened at the start of the second period to lead anyone to believe anything was going to change. Indeed, Scott McDonald decided not to disturb the pristine stalemate by missing the simplest header from a Justin Hoyte cross when he was free three yards out. Hines decided to show he could do the same thing a few minutes later.

Mogga replaced M&S - presumably knee management again - and Robbo with Adam Hammill and Curtis Main on the hour. And that with Lukas-aid having yet another 'mare after his poor outing at Derby. Curiouser and curiouser.

On seventy-four, Arca was replaced by Kevin Thomson who was roundly booed by the home fans as he took the field. Presumably designed to up the pace and progressive passing - NOT! Yet again, errors of omission and commission from the Riverside dugout.

What little shape the home side had disintegrated further as they made an art form of failing to score against a team that had conceded seventy-seven goals this term. There was never any quality to lose.

Hammill contributed to the comedy of errors as he tried to cross, shanked it and hit the bar. Boro huffed and puffed deep into added time but there was no way.

Congratulations to Donny on a brave and well deserved point.

There are just no words for Middlesbrough. Well, there are but not that I could use here. Let's just leave it at 'Typical Boro'.

Now's the time to see the back of those who are surplus to requirements and play as many of the Academy lads as possible in the remaining two games and only those others who are going to be around next season or that we want to be.

OK CORRAL OR BLANKS AT THE RED PLASTIC CANYON?

2012-04-16T16:21:04Z

Even with the Yorkshire misfit mercenaries relegated and Boro winning away at Derby last time out, there's no way of predicting the outcome of this 'showdown at red plastic canyon'. I would call it 'shoot out' - but unless Curtis Main gets his chance again, there's every chance that neither side will!

Mind you, it's just as tricky to predict whether Cardiff will take three points at home against The Rams - poor as they were against Boro on Saturday - or whether Leeds, also doomed to another Championship season will trouble Ollie's tangerine dreams at the seaside. That's The Championship.

All The Teessiders can do is not be 'Typical Boro', avoid complacency, and actually win a home game against a side with nothing to play for, no heart and that they should trounce. I can feel the pangs of 'flattering to deceive', already!

With his disastrous 'Mackay' experiment having crashed and burned spectacularly - and at some cost financially and in football terms - one wonders whether Donny Chairman John Ryan, who did the post-match presser on Saturday, will insist that Dean Saunders continues with the blanks-firing 'guns for hire' that he's been saddled with to now? Presumably not in League One.

One of those who won't be around at The Riverside is former Barcode, Habib Beye, who got his marching orders in the four three home defeat to fellow strugglers and financial self-harmers, Pompey.

Saunders has also complained about players missing through injury and those fit to play being too tired. But thought they've been beaten in the last three games and this one comes hard on the heels of Saturday, they're now relieved of competitive pressures.

Boro will be trying to equal, if not better, their three one win on an emotional night at The Keepmoat in November when Billy Sharp - now plying his trade at St. Mary's - opened the scoring with a 'worldy' that he dedicated to his two day old son who'd died, so sadly, just before the game. Boro overcame sentiment and that goal to win with a Robbo brace and one from M&S.

You'd imagine that both of those scorers will be in the Boro side again tonight - M&S' knee permitting. That might also depend on whether Mogga decides to be as positive as he was in his selection and set out as he was at Derby or whether he reverts to cautious type at The Riverside.

At Pride Park, Mogga played a diamond four in midfield with M&S at the sharp end behind Lukas-aid and Scott McDonald as 'split strikers' up front. The Aussie played well but Jukebox looked shot, frankly. It might make sense to start Curtis Main against a porous Donny defence who won't know him and keep Jukebox on the bench with Ogbeche in case a different approach is needed and give the ex-Coventry man a break before a Saints game on Saturday where his strengths at both ends of the pitch will be more needed.

I'd like to see the M&Ms - Main and McDonald - play closer together rather than, 'split' - but I suspect that that's a step too far to expect of Mogga and Veno.

I'd be positively delirious with Mogga's positivity if he didn't include Thomo again - especially not paired with Nicky Bailey in a 'must win' home - and Robbo was allowed to ply his trade the way he knows best - in the middle, just as he was able to against The Rams in a narrow two.

Haro-oo-on had the full ninety in his first game back, so there's a call as to whether he'll be ready to go again just a couple of days afterwards. I hope he is - the Belgian's energy and front-foot desire is worth having around and he offers much more than Hammill.

There's a choice to make at left back with Joe Bennett available again after suspension. The lad has been the butt of some adverse reaction from the home support recently after a couple of mistakes at The Riverside that have cost goals - but he undoubtedly offers more going forward than Hoyte, especially when the ex-Gunner is on the left.

I also hope that this choice is resolved without dropping Tony McMahon who showed at Derby why I feel he's worth his game at right back. Solid defensively, gets forward and gets crosses in and offers options from set pieces.

And, above all - and the biggest reason for Mogga to be Mr. Positive - is that Boro are going to have to raise themselves in a ground with no atmosphere as they didn't have to last Saturday.

THE MAIN CHANCE

2012-04-15T09:57:22Z

And it was the Main chance. Two minutes on the field with ten to go and another stalemate - with the emphasis on stale - looming and the young striker with Hicktonite in his boots latched on to a peach of a pass from Robbo and with plenty still to do, he did plenty!

His angled left foot drive simply tore into Fielding's net and left the keeper flat footed. One chance, one goal, three points.

At the other end, deep into added time, Jason Steele performed the other heroics with a smart save from Paul Green from only a couple of yards out to hold onto to two of those three points.

A deserved win for Boro - but as we know you don't always get what you deserve!

Will Curtis Main now get what his strike yesterday deserves? Or will the same happen to him the last time he won a game with a worldy and was then pretty quickly banished back to the stiffs by Mogga, along with the rest of the Academy lads in the 'development' squad that haven't had a chance.

Boro are now seventh and two points off the play-off pace and places. And, you'd have to say, this win could only be prolonging the agony and tells us little or nothing about the game on Tuesday evening. 'Typical Boro' would, most likely, follow this with being turned over by relegated Donny's bunch of failed mercenaries at The Riverside!

There's been a fair bit of positive press about the game yesterday - they must have been watching something different than my lad, Ian Gill and I were looking at, particularly in the first half.

Pride Park is so like The Riverside - except that twenty four thousand in there looks full - that the first period came off like watching home Boro play away Boro. Mogga would never have played such an attacking line up at home, though, with M&S at the attacking point of a midfield diamond.

'Away Boro' had the best of it until late in the half. By then, Tony Mc had rattled Fielding's bar with a free kick and a tired looking Lukas-aid showed he hasn't got a right foot when he rolled his shot weakly goalwards having rounded the Derby keeper and had it cleared off the line by a defender scurrying back faster than the ball.

At the break, the big question in the away end - packed, yet again, with the hollering hordes of the Travelling Parmo Army - was 'was that the good half or the bad half for Boro?' Turned out the best was yet to come.

The Reds dominated the second half too but - until Curtis Main took over to show the shot-shy others how it's done - the closest they came was a Jukebox header that Fielding saved smartly, though he should never have been given the chance if the header had been properly directed.

After Main produced, the last ten minutes and added time was absolutely frenetic and end to end but the incessant noise from the away end roared Boro home as they held Derby at bay and kept the pressure up themselves on the break.

The Teessiders' back line did well defending, with Big Mick steady and Seb Hines the pick. Going forward, Tony Mc showed why he should be getting his game every week and Hoyte showed the opposite. You'd have to say that it's harder for him on the left but he hardly ever does it on the right either.

Haro-oo-un showed his customary - and very welcome - energy on his return from injury and visibly enjoyed and responded to encouragement from Boro fans. Nicky Bailey was in and out, Robbo excellent and M&S probed well without threatening.

Up front, Lukas-aid looked as though he needed a gallon of his namesake and Scott McDonald's energetic and intelligent play that never gave Derby's back line a moment's rest made him many people's vote for MotM, though he never looked like scoring.

To groans around the away end, Mogga brought Thomo on after Boro got ahead to try to shore things up - but, fortunately, he wasn't called on to do much and he duly obliged by not doing much.

So, it's so near - and yet so far. Two points adrift with only three to go is a chasm. And what of all those home draws now? What of the two or three points shipped at the KC last week from a winning position? Ho hum.

Still, the long drive home always feels shorter when you win!

THIS COULD BE THE LAST TIME....

2012-04-13T17:05:33Z

....maybe the last time - I don't know. Oh no', as Messrs Jagger and Richards laid it out all those years ago in a different context might equally apply to Boro's team that turns out to meet Derby tomorrow, if they lose what is a 'must win' for both sides if either is to retain any shred of ambition for the final play off slot.

For if Boro forget that they're playing at somewhere called 'Pride' Park and whimper to yet another limp defeat, it should be the death knell of this current team otherwise Mogga risks a bad end to this season polluting the start of next in a mirror image of the momentum of the end of last season carrying them over, positively, into this.

It might also make the likes of Jacob Butterfield and Grant Leadbitter, alleged to be in Mogga's sights for summer transfers, think more than twice - especially if, as rumoured, they have choices to make.

So, from the Donny game and for the rest of the season, no-one should play that Mogga isn't pretty certain is going to be with Boro next season, in both senses - what would be the point? He should heavily feature the 'Academy' lads that he's studiously avoided all season, unless he's been forced to select them, market it as 'the future' and see if the good folk of Teesside will come out to support it.

I certainly don't see them flocking to The Riverside to see anything else next Tuesday. I'd confidently predict the lowest ever home crowd for a competitive first team game with the players shouts echoing round the red plastic canyon if it was just the same old, same old!

If Rolls Rhys isn't going to be fit, young Atkinson could come into what's already pretty well an Academy back five anyway with Joe Bennett available after his suspension, Jukebox and Curtis Main up front with Reach, Smallwood, Cameron Park and Luke Williams in the middle.

And he should give the lads their heads to have a go against a side that will likely already have been relegated, one that will likely already have been promoted and a third who also won't have anything to play for by then.

But, that's for then. What about tomorrow? Well, unlike Mogga, Clough is looking to keep his young team and squad together for next season when he and the players are predicting another term of improvement to build on this one - the 'slow burn' development of a club being the Clough modus operandi.

Their home crowds seem to suggest both that the fans are bought into that but also that the imaginative marketing, promotion and ticketing that have long been a hallmark of the East Midlands club are continuing to deliver results. Something else MFC could learn from - though why break the habit of a lifetime.......

After a very good start and a long, mid-season, rocky spell, The Rams' recent form has picked up again - so much so that if they win this one by a three goal margin, they'll leapfrog Mogga's Men. Whilst Boro have only two wins in the last ten - and they were eight games ago - County have only lost two in the same period.

While Boro were going down two one in East Yorkshire, across in the West of the county, Nigel Clough's side were the latest to come away from Elland Road with three points from a convincing two nil win.

As I asked, though, before the Hull game - in this season's Championship, what do those sort of stats tell you about any given game? Pretty well nothing. If Boro can find a way - mentally and physically - to address a season long issue of only playing one half; can convert chances into goals at one end and defend less naively and porously at the other - especially from set pieces - then they could get a win.

But can they? Will they? Who knows.

At least Nicky Bailey has had the good sense and grace to admit what his manager hasn't - that recent individual and team performances haven't been good enough, that he recognises the issues above, that the team - and, by implication - the manager and coaches have let Boro fans down, including the magnificent three thousand of the Travelling Parmo Army at the KC on Monday and that they have to do better. Good for him.

Mogga will have to rely on the same back five again and hope that Hoyte isn't as exposed at left back by others' failings - as well as his own - as he was at the KC on Bank Holiday Monday.

My guess is that it'll be a Lukas-aid - Scott McDonald front two with M&S on the bench to be called on either 'instead of' or 'as well as' at some point in the game when his pace and cleverness could be telling. But then I thought that for the Hull game and the young Dutchman got a good goal in Boro's best period of first half counter-attacking.

I've given up even trying to guess what will happen in midfield selections, though the 'diamond' four seems to be the set out in favour at the moment. Perm any four from those available which will likely include Faris Haroun for the first time in weeks - but, on previous experience, not any of the likes of Reach, Park or Luke Williams, even on the bench - with the remainder as subs.

I have to admit that I'm conflicted about the outcome. Of course, I always want Boro to win and I don't want to see a poor game and/or another whimpering defeat. And, however deflating the recent run has been, the improbable Championship maths mean a win could have Boro right back in contention. Daft lad that I am, 'Typical Boro' hope still lingers!

Against that, you can't help feeling that that would just be more 'flattering to deceive' and prolonging the agony before a tonking off Donny and The Saints in an empty Riverside with the 'yesterday's men today' team still in place.

Maybe the last time - I don't know. Oh no!

THE OLD ONE TWO

2012-04-09T20:02:48Z

Boro crumbled to the old one two and gave Hull their first win after a run of five defeats in a game they should have been out of sight in by half time.

Yet again, it was self-inflicted wounds at both ends - failure to take chances when they were so far on top in the first half and dreadful defending when the home side came back at them in the second with a reversion to the 'concede a winner in the last few minutes' to cap it all off.

At least it was consistent and fitting in bringing this season's campaign to a close - or as near as dammit - with a sorry whimper.

The first dozen minutes of this one was more like the harum-scarum last ten minutes of many another as both sides went end to end, 'you attack, we attack'.

And then, glory be - a first half goal! M&S, playing on the shoulder, took a feed by Robbo, broke away from Hull's high line, kept his composure and lifted the ball over Mannone to get Boro's first goal before the break in twelve games on the ground where they'd scored four last season.

It didn't look as though The Tigers were bright at all as they kept the same ragged back line in an attempt to play the offside trap that depends on defensive discipline and gave The Reds the opportunity to break in behind them but, having done it once, Boro's midfield struggled to repeat the accuracy of the through ball.

When they did get through after a long punt out of defence by Seb Hines, M&S couldn't find the same deftness of finish again and Mannone made the save. On the breaks, Boro's decision making - a repeated fault in many recent weeks - let them down and their moves broke down at or before the final ball.

Though the game continued to be open, Hull couldn't make too much of an impression on Boro's defence or make Jason Steele work and Mogga had to contemplate the novelty of what you say to your team in the dressing room at the break when they're ahead!

Hopefully, it would have included 'You should have been more than one up already and you need at least another goal', given that - if you don't count the abandoned game at Portman Road - the last away clean sheet was at Bristol at the start of December!

Unfortunately, if that's what the Boro Boss said, his charges can't have been listening. More 'architects of their own downfall', schoolboy defending by The Teessiders let King in to equalise just short of the hour and let The Humbersiders back into the game with only their second goal in seven games.

Seconds later, only more Jason Steele agility kept the home side out as the Tigers' tails that had been tweaked and between their legs were properly up and they came at nervy Boro.

Mogga decided to use his subs to try to change things with Hammill and Ogbeche on for M&S and Julio, Julio, Julio with fifteen to play in the pouring rain and the benched Lukas-aid looking suitably disconsolate as he trotted up and down the touchline.

Boro started to press again towards the goal at the end where their magnificent, three thousand strong, Travelling Parmo Army were trying to will the ball in. Would that the team they have so fervently supported had the same levels of commitment to the cause.

Somewhat strangely, it seemed, Boro's Skipper, Barry Robson, was replaced by Malaury Martin with two minutes left. The distraction prompted yet more schoolboy defending - but that's an insult to schoolboys - as they gave Fryatt the freedom of the park. The striker slipped the ball past Jason Steele and Boro were suckered by the old one two, yet again.

But for a dreadful miss from six yards, Evans could have added to Boro fans' torture as their season stuttered and finally ground to ignominious failure to nail their play off place.

The way this campaign is tailing off threatens the start to next season in a mirror image to the momentum of the end of last season carried through to this. That has to be addressed, I suggest, after the Derby game next weekend drives the last nail into the coffin of this season and - hopefully - of this Boro side.

I'll lay out my thoughts as to what comes after that - for Donny and beyond - in my next piece.

IT'S THE KC - BUT NO SUNSHINE BAND

2012-04-08T10:01:01Z

Given the recent form of the two teams, this could very well be the game no-one wants to win in an oxymoronic 'battle' for sixth and the last play off place that no-one seems to want either.

Both sets of supporters could be excused for not being 'the sunshine band' on what looks like being a predictably windy and rainy Bank Holiday Monday. But I still expect the magnificent - if, probably, disillusioned - Travelling Parmo Army to make their presence felt tomorrow with their noisy numbers.

Hull have only one win in their last ten games, Boro only two. The Humbersiders come into this one off the back of five straight defeats and The Teessiders with a defeat and four draws. But does any of this give you any better clue as to the result tomorrow? Not a bit of it - you'd be as well flipping a coin.

It's likely that only the presence of a hometown hero at the helm of both sides is protecting the clubs, the managers and the teams from even worse shellacking than they're getting from fans.

It's not as if Barmby's Boys have been suffering at the hands of what passes for the Championship's 'elite' - aka 'the best of a very mediocre bunch'. Their last three outings have been two nil defeats to Pompey, Coventry and Millwall, yesterday.

At least Mogga's Men have mustered a couple of decent draws on the road recently, even if they plumbed the depths - and that's saying something in this Riverside season - against Cardiff 'away at home' as Ian Gill refers to the phenomenon.

I believe that the foundation of that debacle were laid by Mogga giving up the old adage of 'one game at a time' and trying, again, to be too clever by half and picking a side for yesterday with tomorrow's game in mind.

The folly of that was shown in a predictable performance when you have Thomo and Hammill back in the side, Robbo shunted back out to the wing and two holding midfielders in a home game that Boro needed to win - and not just for league position.

Had Jason Steele been red carded in the first couple of minutes yesterday - as he very well might have been - he'd have been out of today's game. That 'honour' now goes to Joe Bennett for his tenth yellow which means he misses this game and the one at Derby next Saturday. The lad may feel some sense of relief after the barracking he took from some sections of Boro fans at The Riverside yesterday.

My guess is that Mogga will do what he's done before in similar circumstances and put Hoyte to left back with Tony Mc coming in on the right. In truth, as with Big Mick and Seb Hines in the middle, the Boro Boss has little choice.

I can only hope for a recall of Richie Smallwood with Thomo and Hammill dropped again. Julio, Julio, Julio must also hope for some game time, given some recent reasonable performances and how things turned out when he was dropped from the matchday squad yesterday.

Faris Haroun also didn't appear on pitch or bench. His energy would be a big help but it's not likely he'll get the whole game tomorrow, given the length of time he's been out. He and Mr. Knee Management, M&S might 'timeshare' the match in a similar wide, raiding role.

The partnership between Lukas-aid and Scott McDonald is worth persisting with up top - but I also expect Mogga to hamper them both again by reverting to his other little bit of non-delivering dogma and playing 'split striker' with Robbo being asked to drive through the middle.

I'd love to see the likes of Reach, Park and Main on the bench, but chances are it'll be Thomo, Hammill, Ogbeche and Martin - assuming that they're not playing. Presumably, Mogga's waiting until the last shreds of the vestiges of any hope of the play offs is gone before the much vaunted 'future of the club' is given its chance.

How could they do any worse? And this from a club that are supposed to have applied for Category 1 status in the Elite Player Performance Plan, which is edging ever closer to being implemented by the FA and which puts Academy investment and the continuing conveyor belt - rightly - at the heart of the club's development.

At least those lads' hearts are in it. For any in the Boro squad who aren't similarly placed, they need a reminder who is paying their wages and what their professional responsibilities are. An appearance from Gibbo alongside Mogga in the away dressing room at the KC at about ten to three tomorrow might well be called for.

Whatever the outcome, the least that must be demanded is that the Travelling Parmo Army aren't as disappointed and disillusioned by the performance as their Riverside counterparts were last time out.

IF YOU PICK A TEAM WITH MONDAY IN MIND.....

2012-04-07T15:35:10Z

.....why expect Saturday's version to turn up?

McDonald in for M&S? Well, OK. Thomo and Hammill back in? Yerjokin'aren'ya? Smallwood benched - never! Arca not even in the sixteen after a few decent performances? Hmmm.....

It is alleged that all is not harmonious in the dressing room at present and there is a significant group of players who aren't happy with how things are being run at Middlesbrough, have already made up their minds to go in the summer, whatever happens, and are openly saying so - and I don't mean Robbo. I'd have to know who all of them were to know whether I was bothered about that or not for next season but what effect does it have on this?

What does bother me is when the team don't turn up on any given Saturday - and especially one as important as this. This performance came off like a replay of the 2009 FA Cup Quarter Final against the same opposition that is seared - unpleasantly - into Boro fans' memories.

It's no wonder at all that many fans have exercised their option not to turn up already - and there's no use in Mogga complaining about it when he and his team serve up disorganised dross like this at The Riverside.

Nicky Bailey dumped Jason Steele in it the opening two minutes with a back pass that was never going to reach. As Kenny Miller and the Boro keeper got there together, the Scots striker was cleaned out - with the ball - by Steele. The Ref chose to see it as a fair challenge rather than the pen and the sending off it could easily have been.

Cardiff's unused travelling players who had joined their fans in the South Stand, the Cardiff players on the pitch and the Cardiff dugout clearly didn't agree and Miller had to be withdrawn, injured.

Mason came on for Miller and rattled Boro's bar almost immediately as the nerves showed for both teams - but mainly for those in red. Hoyte headed the rebound over.

From the first corner, Big Mick did a 'threepenny bit' header to give another flag kick away. From that corner, Boro conceded - yet again from a set piece - as Ben Turner headed home unchallenged.

Tayls must have taken pity on his ex team-mates as he was left unmarked in the box but shot wide. Mason had no such qualms.

As Boro both dropped too deep and to pieces simultaneously, the sub striker then skinned Joe Bennett and drove home for two nil.

Not surprisingly, Boro were booed off at the end of a disastrous first forty-five - probably one of the worst of what's been a vintage season for dreadful home performances and the eleventh game in a row when The Teessiders haven't scored before the break.

The fact that Mogga made no changes at half time could either be read as 'same old, same old' from the Boro Boss or his team being sent out with a flea in their ears and told to put right what they'd done wrong.

Who knows what the formation was supposed to be before the break but it was nearer to a 'straight' 4-4-2 in the second period. At least The Reds began by having a go as Jukebox fed Hammill who hit the post when it looked easier to score.

Malky Mackay showed just what he thought of the Boro midfield when he withdrew McPhail in favour of a second striker in Gestede after only ten minutes of the second half.

Cheers from Boro fans greeted the substitution of Thomo. The Scot was replaced by Marvin Emnes, a move obviously intended to push the home side on. Just the indication of positive intent gave the Riverside faithful a lift. Malaury Martin got on for serial non-performer, Adam Hammill on seventy.

It wasn't that Cardiff looked that convincing in defence themselves - but, huff and puff though they did - including a Jukebox header against the bar, Boro couldn't take advantage and their decision making in the final third was poor at best.

In the closing minutes, Boro brought on Bart Ogbeche for Nicky Bailey for an attempt at a cavalry charge that never materialised as Cardiff subbed their sub Gestede for McNaughton. His prematurely grey hair was doubtless a model for most in the crowd outside the South Stand - that which hadn't long since being torn out in frustration!

The fourth official announced five minutes of added time. It could have been five hours and Boro still wouldn't have scored as they demonstrated by hitting post and bar and Big Mick lifting the ball over from barely a yard out. Desperately poor.

This was a totally misconceived endeavour by Mogga compounded by poor execution by the players. Would that this had been a blip in this Riverside season both by the manager and players.

But, if you always do what you've always done........

WALKING ON CHOCCY EGGSHELLS

2012-04-06T10:31:11Z

I noted after the draw at Brighton - 'Good Friday? Well, if Boro want a 'Better Saturday' I think they've got to go for it, play their own game and impose that on Cardiff rather than meekly try to match them up. Do that and win then there's a chance to bank Holiday Monday points at the KC. Go the other way and it could be creme egg on face, yet again'.

Mogga reckoned after the game at the amex that Boro would need to win 'two or three' of their last six to claim a play off place. I reckon it's more like four because The Reds can't afford for it to come down to goal difference.

The Birmingham result on Tuesday was predictable but gave The Blues some breathing space in the top six and there are plenty of other key games today and tomorrow. But, the time for relying on others' results is long gone - it's all about what Boro do.

Winning at home in The Red Plastic Canyon that The Riverside has become through the failure to inspire the unconvinced by results or performances - to his team's detriment, as Mogga has admitted - is a must, starting with Cardiff tomorrow.

The fact that the side from the Welsh capital are stuttering themselves - as usual at this time in their season - will come as no comfort to Boro fans who know that the sight of Bluebirds over Middlehaven isn't a signal of hope for their team.

Cardiff's 'stutter' has been even bit as bumpy and long lived as Boro's and it looks like the epic Carling Cup Final struggle against The Scousers has done neither finalist any good since.

They have won just twice in their last fourteen but, in an indication of how much others are on the 'try to avoid the play offs' track, are just two points adrift of the play off places after failing to win at their home ground for the fifth time in a row last Saturday when they drew, no goals, against Millwall.

'We wuz robbed by the lino (again)' was Malky Mackay's view as what would have been a winner by Gunnarsson was ruled out for what was adjudged a shirt pull by the official.

The Cardiff Boss opined that this was the third time they had been cost points by poor officiating this term and in the previous two cases the errors had been admitted, post match. He expected the same outcome this time but, of course, that doesn't change the record books. And raging against poor officiating in The Championship is a bit like complaining that it gets dark at night - and just as applicable to everyone.

Mackay can console himself that he is bringing his side to a ground where the home side has struggled to win and where Cardiff have often been a nemesis. I won't rehearse details of those previous debacles - they're too well known and still too raw for Boro fans.

I guess he would also be motivating his team with the need to get payback for Boro's three two win in the Welsh capital just before Xmas - one of The Teessiders' best performances of the season.

Ogbeche, Scott McD and Haroun - at the end of a worldy move - scored on the day. Tomorrow might be the first occasion in ages where all of those three might be able to be on the pitch together since that win. Let's hope they can be a threat again.

Talking of threats, Cardiff have plenty in the likes of Gunnarsson, Liam Lawrence - on loan from Pompey - and Whittingham in midfield and Kenny Miller, Earnshaw and the big lad, Gestede up front. Their centre backs, Hudson and Turner, are rugged in defence and in the opposition box from set pieces - still a Boro weakness. We know all about Tayls but McNaughton usually impresses at right back.

For once, I'd like to see Mogga have the courage of his convictions and, rather than setting out to counter The Bluebirds' threats and set out, go his own way with his preferred Boro selections and set out and impose their threats on the away side.

I think that has the best chance of succeeding anyway and at this juncture in the season and this time of year - and without impinging too much on alleged Welsh sexual sensibilities - 'better to be hung for a sheep as a lamb'.

I think that starts with going with two up front, working as a pair rather than 'split' - which has yet to work as an attacking ploy. I'd go for Lukas-aid and Scott McDonald to start with Ogbeche and M&S on the bench.

In midfield, if Haroun's fit I'd play him - both because of the energy he brings the team but also on the basis that Cardiff will be wary of him whilst he'll be looking forward to playing them again.

Robbo, Bails and Smallwood should complete a midfield four - though Julio, Julio, Julio could count himself unfortunate to be left out after a decent display at the amex and should play if the Belgian doesn't make the starting eleven. Thomo and Hammill should get no further than the bench again.

The back five almost picks itself with the only choice - in a back four - being Hoyte or McMahon. I'd expect to see Tony Mc on the bench again.

I'd also like to see Mogga dispense with the 'start slowly and have a look at the opposition' mantra too - that hasn't worked at home either. Let's get on the front foot and stay there.

The Easter hols, the journey from South Wales and the form of both sides - especially Boro's at The Riverside - will, I'm sure, mean a sparse crowd at the echoing Red Plastic Canyon again, so the home team are going to have to generate the atmosphere rather than waiting for the crowd to lift them.

If Mogga and his men can avoid playing like they're walking on choccy eggshells they have a chance to avoid goo-ing home with creme egg on face, resurrect their play off ambitions and place and go to the KC, with the magnificent Travelling Parmo Army, as a 'sunshine band' with the prospect they can bank holiday Monday points too. Easter puntastic!

NUMBERS GAME

2012-04-01T09:04:54Z

One one, one one, one one, one one. Binary two hundred and fifty-five? No, Boro's last four results.

But, in a month that everyone thought was going to sort out the Championship, Boro still find themselves embroiled in what now looks like a two from five for three remaining play off places and now out of the top six on their poor goal difference.

Whether this result means four games unbeaten or six without a win won't be clear until season end but unless Boro beat Cardiff at home next weekend the balance would move to the negative in such a tight fight where every point and even every goal will count.

For the second away game in four days Boro took the lead - and were worth it - but couldn't notch a second or keep a 'zero' in the against column, got pegged back and couldn't force a winner in another game they had the best of.

For the tenth game in a row, Boro failed to score in the first half of a game but contained The Seagulls in an opening period that was long on endeavour but short on chances.

Jason Steele was the busier of the keepers but coped very competently with what he had to do. At the other end, Boro's only threats came from two Robbo free kicks that were both poorly executed - one high over the bar and one into the blue and white wall.

You'd imagine that Mogga would have been thinking 'job half done' at the sides trooped to the amex dressing rooms at the break but looking to see whether his side could be more progressive in support of Lukas-aid and M&S in the second half and carve out a decent chance or two.

Boro certainly started the second half with intent, upped the tempo and pressed forward and chances started to come. Though Boro got more shots away they still weren't testing Brezovan. Brighton broke on Boro but found Jason Steele in the decent form he'd been in for a few games.

Boro almost took the lead when El-Abd defended a Jukebox header for a corner, Robbo swung it in and Marvellous Marvin claimed a glance or it could have been Bridcutt but, either way, the quality was on Robbo's dead ball kick and the nick put Boro ahead.

Half way through the half there was a flurry of subs. M&S was subject to a bit of 'knee management' and the returning Scott McDonald came on. The Aussie's first touch fed Jukebox who hit the post with a left foot drive.

But almost immediately it was Boro's turn to concede - yet again - from a corner given away after the ball was given away in midfield. Calderon's virtually unchallenged header made them pay - and he's hardly a man mountain or beanpole.

Back came Boro in an end to end second half that was as pulsatingly open as the first half was cautiously cagey. Mogga kept things positive with his second sub as Ogbeche replaced Lukas-aid.

Twenty thousand in the amex with a sold out away end rammed with two thousand plus of the Magnificent Parmo Army roared the teams on. Though Boro kept Brighton at bay and looked the more likely, they couldn't force the winner that, as the away side, their overall performance probably deserved.

But you get nowt for 'deseved' and the points column was still better by only one rather than three again and Boro dropped out of the top six courtesy of Ollie's Tangerine Dreams coming true at Bloomfield Road as they tonked the Saints three nil.

There were some fine Boro performances again - Jason Steele and Seb Hines were outstanding at the back with Robbo, Richie Smallwood and Julio, Julio, Julio doing well in an engine room helpfully minus Thomo and Hammill - and the returning Scott McDonald looking sharp.

Mogga reckoned afterwards that Boro would need to win 'two or three' of their last six to claim a play off place. I reckon it's more like four because The Reds can't afford for it to come down to goal difference.

That means winning at home in The Red Plastic Canyon that The Riverside has become through the failure to inspire the unconvinced by results or performances - to his team's detriment, as Mogga admitted yesterday - and starting with Cardiff next Saturday.

Good Friday? Well, if Boro want a 'Better Saturday' I think they've got to go for it, play their own game and impose that on Cardiff rather than meekly try to match them up. Do that and win then there's a chance to bank Holiday Monday points at the KC.

Go the other way and it could be egg on face, yet again.

WHEN THE SEAGULLS FOLLOW THE TRAWLER....

2012-03-30T13:51:00Z

In style and season trajectory, you'd say that Poyet's Brighton are looking to 'do a Swansea'. They are held to 'play the game the right way' under the Uruguayan - which means progressive, passing, possession football - craft with graft - and they stick to what they do and the way they do it through thick and thin.

It's the sort of football Mogga admires and aspires to for Boro but has admitted his charges aren't yet equipped for - at least consistently.

Like The Swans, as a promoted side Albion have had their rocky spells through the season but are coming good and building momentum again towards the business end - they're undefeated in 2012 - and will be looking to go up via the play offs.

In the manager's image, they have a lot of very decent attacking midfield footballers - including the mercurial Vicente and Lua-Lua and, in a different vein, Buckley and Noone. Up front, they have pace, movement, presence and goals in the likes of top scorer, Barnes, Mackail-Smith and loaner Vokes.

At the back, they have robust, solid citizens like Greer, Dunk and El-Abd and also in the manager's image they aren't shy of getting a foot in when it's needed and they'll graft.

The Seagulls have only lost on their own park three times this season and have won eleven with a goals for tally almost three times their goals against. Altogether, a tough challenge in a new ground for Boro and the magnificent Travelling Parmo Army as they visit the Amex for the first time.

The Reds will be trawling for fit central defenders in the wake of the injuries incurred at Portman Road. The news on Matt Bates isn't good and with his contract up in June, it couldn't have happened at a worse time for the lad. Big Mick has been recalled from his loan at Bristol and will surely partner Seb Hines at the back.

Elsewhere in the team, both full backs had very good games on Tuesday - in defence and going forward. Jason Steele was even better than that, so those three should play. In midfield, Richie Smallwood showed why he should get a run of games now and new Skipper, Robbo's certain to play as is Nicky Bailey - unless he's at centre back. If Faris Haroun's available, I'd like to see him play too.

I'd do without Hammill - assuming he isn't on a 'must play' loan agreement - Arca, Thomo and Zemmama. I don't doubt a couple of these will be on the bench, though I'd still like to see Reach and Park given a look in and Malaury Martin must think he's made a case. There may be more latitude if Mogga goes 4-1-4-1 again.

Up front, Lukas-aid is back on the goal trail and if M&S has to be rested to manage his injury, it looks like Ogbeche is likely to join him - but only if there's two up front. Curtis Main seems to have been banished to the outer darkness again and the club website suggests that Scott McDonald may travel with the squad.

My guess is that Mogga will be looking to do to Brighton what visitors often do at The Riverside - keep their shape, get behind the ball when out of position, look for turnover ball and attack on the break. They've shown they can do that on their travels earlier in the season and did so for a lot of the second half at Ipswich - even in adversity - though they've struggled in other away games recently.

Though the point at The Tractor Boys was considered a good one and the point at home to The Robins, the opposite. Whatever; if Boro are to sustain ambitions for the play offs, they have to start winning games rather than drawing or losing and relying on others. This would be a good game to start with.

SUFFOLK PUNCHES TRADED

2012-03-27T20:14:01Z

Boro, shorn of the last two fit centre backs in the club by half time and with the probably the smallest makeshift central defence imaginable in Tony Mc and Nicky Bailey held on for a deserved Portman Road point and came close to winning.

Some draws - like the one away at West Ham - are good draws. This was one such. We'll take a point, fifth and a two point lead over Blackpool in seventh now that games are evened out except for Birmingham's one outstanding. Boro - and their magnificent five hundred Travelling Parmo Army - deserved a lot of credit for a stalwart performance in adversity.

Bailey and Tony Mc did well in their makeshift roles; Justin Hoyte and Joe Bennett were at their best in defence and going forward; Jason Steele was inspired again; Lukas-aid notched for the first time in a while; Robbo was his old self - and didn't get booked; and Richie Smallwood's efforts made him MotM in my view. I can only hope he now gets the run in the side he deserves.

But, what impact will losing Matt Bates and Seb Hines to injury followed by M&S in the second half with what looked like a dicky knee have on the rest of the season? I guess that will need to wait assessment tomorrow.

On a night when Hull lost at lowly Pompey and The Hammers won at London Road, the results were reasonable again for The Teessiders. The Reds need to start winning games and scoring more again soon - they can't rely on others' failures much longer - but sometimes you have to grind a point out and this was one of those times.

Yet again though, the first half was a largely featureless stalemate with Boro failing to make 'split strikers' work, yet again and, generally, making poor decisions - particularly in their attacking play and final pass - yet again.

Unlike on some other recent occasions, Ipswich hardly troubled the visitors either as Boro worked hard enough and held their shape well.

If 'goal-less stalemate' was Mogga's ambition for a meeting with a home team on a strong run on a ground where Boro rarely do well and have often gone behind in the first five minutes on recent visits, then it was 'job done'.

The biggest question was would Boro finish the half with any fit centre backs in the club. Matt Bates looked like he'd turned an ankle and had to be subbed for Tony McMahon on seventeen. Then, on the ground he broke his jaw last season, Seb Hines was poleaxed in the Tractor Boys' box by Alex McCarthy, the home keeper.

The most consistent Boro defender of late made a recovery after a few minutes and, thankfully, was able to continue. That semblence of relief only lasted as long as the break when Hines was unable to continue. Nicky Bailey dropped into the back four to make a Lilliputian centre back pairing with Tony Mc and Jutkiewicz coming on to play up front.

The Teessiders' line leader straight away fluffed his lines when McCarthy parried a Hammill shot out to him and it looked easier to score than miss from only a couple of yards out. Jukebox might have expected the Wolves loaner to net but that's no excuse for failing himself.

Just before the hour, Jason Steele continued his great run of recent form when he sprung to save a Leadbitter penalty when Emmanuel-Thomas went down in instalments after an un-necessary challenge by Arca - who has form for that sort of thing - in the Boro box when he was meandering nowhere.

That shock and relief seemed to spur Boro into action and they pressed home two attacks in quick succession. The two full backs combined with Joe Bennett finding Justin Hoyte who crossed beautifully for Lukas-aid to atone for his earlier miss and sweep home from close in to put the visitors ahead on sixty-three.

Grant Leadbitter clearly felt he too had something to atone for after failing from the spot and hit a stonking drive from twenty-five that left Jason Steele grasping thin air and tore into the Boro net for the equaliser.

That woke up the home crowd who had been getting on their team's backs and both sides had at it in, exchanging Suffolk punches in what had become an entertaining encounter - chalk and cheese from before the break.

Boro took what looked like their third injury of the evening when M&S was subbed for Thomo with five minutes of normal time left. The Ipswich momentum was blunted as Boro parked the tractor at the back and retained possession sensibly and saw the game out.