Sheff Utd/Middlesbrough

[Spijed]

Form guide:

Sheff utd 26 points from last 10 games
Boro 24 points from last 10 games.

[houseboy]

Look at it this way - if one team wins one will gain 3 points; if they draw between them they only gain 2 points. Or alternate view on same concept - one team loses they lose 3 points; draw and they drop 4 points between them. The draw is definitely the best result as 4 points total is dropped

Why exactly would ‘dropping 4 points between them’ be better for us? It’s still dropping two each when it is better for the team breathing down our necks to lose three points
and the team 17 behind us who have played a game more gaining three. Boro are not going to catch us…fact. But Sheff Utd could.
Anyone thinking Boro have even a snowballs chance in hell of catching is seriously pessimistic. Making up 17 points in 15 games is almost impossible without them maintaining form whilst we totally collapse.

[Rileybobs]

I’ve still got one eye on Derby.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Boro win, if us and boro win we would be 10 points clear of 2nd and 17 clear of third with a game in hand.

If I felt a 17 point lead, a game in hand and they only have 15 games left to catch us wasn't enough then I would want Sheff Utd to win. I don't

[Quickenthetempo]

Boro win for me now, I would usually say draw as less point going back into the league table.

But I want more Honours putting on that Burnley FC trophy list.
Not interested in runners up spots.

[Greenmile]

Blades win for me, but maybe not for the same reason as most.

I think SU having a good season and keeping some semblance of pressure on us for the top spot is giving us a little added motivation to win every game.

Promotion is in the bag. The title is all but in the bag. I’m focusing on breaking first the 100 points barrier and then the 106 point record, and the Blades continuing to rack up wins takes away a little from the possibility of us resting on our laurels at any point.

[Firthy]

For once I'm not really bothered about other results, just Burnleys result. Don't think we need to depend on other teams failing any more. But I now look at this game in a different way

Sheff Utd win - We are 3 points closer to promotion.
Boro win - We are 3 points closer to the title.
Draw - We are 2 points closer to both.

[Socrates]

Win our game on Tuesday.

That is all that matters.

If we do that then any result on Wednesday is beneficial to us because it means somebody slips further back.

But the win on Tuesday is all that really matters.

[IanMcL]

Not too fussed on the result. Even with a Boro win, it would take some collapse from the Blades - still have a game in hand over them and a much better GD.

Sheffield lose to us (hopefully) and the gap is 4.

[Swizzlestick]

Sheffield lose to us (hopefully) and the gap is 4.

Even so, Boro have to play us again too and it's reliant on them continuing to win game after game. Blades have enough experience in their squad to see it through.

[gtclaret]

For those worried about Middlesbrough catching us, let's put it this way. If we beat Watford, Boro with have to win 7 games more than us with 15 games to play. Do you really believe that we are going to lose 7 times in the remaining 15 games? I think there is more chance of us winning every game than that happening. For me it's about being recognised as the best 2nd tier side ever. There are 3 records I would like us to set.
1 The most consecutive wins. A win tomorrow night will set the championship record, but I believe we need 3 more win for the overall record
2.Highest point total. I think Reading have that with 106,we need 12 wins and 3 draws from the remaining games (possible)
3 Highest number of goal. I believe Manchester City currently have that with 106.This will be the most challenging as they way we play is to shut the game down after 3 goals, we would have to score 3 every game and I can't see that happening

[IanMcL]

Even so, Boro have to play us again too and it's reliant on them continuing to win game after game. Blades have enough experience in their squad to see it through.

I am sure you are right. They are a powerful outfit.

[gtclaret]

We play Boro and Sheffield United in April, Our season will most likely be decided by then, it will be about how much setting records matter to the players and VK

[Jel]

Blades win for me, but maybe not for the same reason as most.

I think SU having a good season and keeping some semblance of pressure on us for the top spot is giving us a little added motivation to win every game.

Promotion is in the bag. The title is all but in the bag. I’m focusing on breaking first the 100 points barrier and then the 106 point record, and the Blades continuing to rack up wins takes away a little from the possibility of us resting on our laurels at any point.

I was going to post the same. Blades winning keeps us on our toes and we can get 106+. We can also set a winning run that will never be beaten.

[LS7]

Some of you need to get out a bit more

[tiger76]

We play Boro and Sheffield United in April, Our season will most likely be decided by then, it will be about how much setting records matter to the players and VK

I doubt players and managers focus on setting records, however even if we've wrapped up promotion and the title by April I can't see VK allowing standards to slip, and he'll still expect us to go out to win every game, a winning mentality is important as is keeping the momentum going ahead of next season.

[Colburn_Claret]

Couldn't care less. More important we concentrate on beating Watford.

[No Ney Never]

As we continue to win, the gap between us and who ever is 3rd will at least remain.
Similarly, the gap between us and 2nd.
However, if we continue to increase the gap between us and 2nd, not only does it continue to guarantee promotion, it also greatly increases our chance of winning the title.
A Boro win, at the very least, maintains the gap between us and 2nd.

A Boro win has the potential to affect Sheffield U psyche, that is better for us.
Spook them and they may become more edgey and defensive, those potential wins become draws.

[4:20]

Sheffield Utd to win. I'd like us both to slug it out for the title, the best two teams in the division. Let the deserved rest fight for the playoffs. Plus, if we both keep on winning, that potential rearranged fiddler game might end up being the game where we lift the title if they rearrange it towards the end. I'm enjoying this mini battle we've got going with Sheff Utd, us winning and them dropping a point or two here and there but still doing enough to stay relatively clear of third.

[No Ney Never]

Coming together nicely so far, up the Boro!

[IanMcL]

Blimey Boro winning! Amazing.
Draw would be nice.

[gawthorpe_view]

3 - 1 Boro now.

[No Ney Never]

After playing 31 games, and despite drawing Watford, we extend our lead above 2nd place to 8 points. Amazing how we still manage to win even when we draw!

[4midable]

Boro got next 4/6 at home
Sheff more away
I see them being caught

[Lord Beamish]

I’d **** myself if Sheff Utd bottled it and finished 3rd.
They’d be in a lot of bother financially next year too, if they subsequently foundered in the Play-Offs. Just as a resurgent Wednesday were coming back into the Championship.

[Shaggy]

I think Sheff utd will be caught. They have knocked up a few spawny wins like Blackburn did early in the season but always look poor every time iv seen them.

[tiger76]

Boro got next 4/6 at home
Sheff more away
I see them being caught

Let em squabble over 2nd neither will catch us.

[Vegas Claret]

I’ve still got one eye on Derby.