Boro v Clarets Match Thread

[RVclaret]

Team news

Al-Dakhil in for THB who must be injured. Otherwise, as I predicted.

[claretburns]

Middlesbrough team

[burnleymik]

Bellis injured again?

[Zom Zom]

Come on lads. Let’s get it over the line tonight, then win it on Monday.

[Awayfromburnley]

Is Foster still abroad?

[RVclaret]

Bellis injured again?

Must be... hopefully nothing serious.

Al-Dakhil in over Ekdal is interesting - I think it's because of the pace Boro have with Archer and Akpom, Al-Dakhil is quick.

[Sheedyclaret]

Surprised ekdal isn’t in so composed

[Carwin261]

Thought Ekdal would be back in tonight,defence doesn’t look quite as strong ,no Taylor either.

[TheFamilyCat]

UTC poster MDWatt on their bench.

[jedi_master]

If THB is injured, why would Ekdal not be the obvious pick?

Nothing against Al-Dakhil either as he has been great in his limited appearances, just a surprising choice…

[Vino blanco]

Surprised to see Al Dakil chosen over Ekdal, unless the latter is still carrying an injury. Got my colours on, setting off for the Underground Bar in Benalmadena in 5 mins. To be be honest I would be happy with a point tonight and a win on Monday, come on boys you can do it!!

[RVclaret]

If THB is injured, why would Ekdal not be the obvious pick?

Nothing against Al-Dakhil either as he has been great in his limited appearances, just a surprising choice…

As I just mentioned above, Al-Dakhil is very quick for a centre back and up against Archer/Akpom, it's probably needed.

[Claretnick]

Must be... hopefully nothing serious.

Al-Dakhil in over Ekdal is interesting - I think it's because of the pace Boro have with Archer and Akpom, Al-Dakhil is quick.

THB seems okay on this video as the Clarets arrived
https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/sta ... 79280?s=20

[mkmel]

Maybe 2 games in 4 days is a bit too much for THB after being out for so long.

[DIF]

Sorry, I want to start off by saying that I only recently started following Burnley because of Ekdal moving there since he played for our club (and is a close personal friend of mine), but why is he benched? In the Burnley-matches I've seen he seems to have done really well and I thought he had his position in the starting-11 locked down. Has he been poor recently or is it a tactical decision? What are your views on him in general so far? Thanks!

[claretburns]

This Sunderland v Hull game as a build up is very entertaining.

[Sheedyclaret]

THB seems okay on this video as the Clarets arrived
https://twitter.com/BurnleyOfficial/sta ... 79280?s=20

He was poor against Sunderland although coming back from injury

[Sheedyclaret]

Sorry, I want to start off by saying that I only recently started following Burnley because of Ekdal moving there since he played for our club (and is a close personal friend of mine), but why is he benched? In the Burnley-matches I've seen he seems to have done really well and I thought he had his position in the starting-11 locked down. Has he been poor recently or is it a tactical decision? What are your views on him in general so far? Thanks!
[/quote

Thought he’d start he’s our best defender in my opinion reads the game very well brings calm to the side..

[andyh]

Sorry, I want to start off by saying that I only recently started following Burnley because of Ekdal moving there since he played for our club (and is a close personal friend of mine), but why is he benched? In the Burnley-matches I've seen he seems to have done really well and I thought he had his position in the starting-11 locked down. Has he been poor recently or is it a tactical decision? What are your views on him in general so far? Thanks!

You are not alone in wondering why he is benched. We do have very good options in that position and maybe pace is what Kompany is looking for tonight and Ekdal’s one weakness appears to be his speed. However he has been very good since he arrived and appears to have better positional sense than our other CH options.

[summitclaret]

He was poor against Sunderland although coming back from injury

No he wasn't.

[DIF]

You are not alone in wondering why he is benched. We do have very good options in that position and maybe pace is what Kompany is looking for tonight and Ekdal’s one weakness appears to be his speed. However he has been very good since he arrived and appears to have better positional sense than our other CH options.

Interesting, thanks! Happy to hear he has been good so far. Might be that he is still adapting to the league but his speed never seemed to be a problem when he played for us. Does he still join the offense in Burnley or does he stay back most of the time? Because he did stuff like this for us all the time: https://youtu.be/QNuYG9Fu44A?t=492 which was one of his biggest strengths in my opinion.

[fatboy47]

THB who must be injured.

Hmmmmm... Maybe. Maybe not.

[Swizzlestick]

No he wasn't.

I thought he was. Wanted too much time on the ball and slowed play down. Didn’t look up to speed.

[FCBurnley]

AD is a big call by VK win today and we are PL

[JimmyRobbo]

Al Dak definitely in to deal with pace of their attack. Akpom and Archer are definitely quick.

Still surprised. It's not all about pace.

[summitclaret]

Interesting, thanks! Happy to hear he has been good so far. Might be that he is still adapting to the league but his speed never seemed to be a problem when he played for us. Does he still join the offense in Burnley or does he stay back most of the time? Because he did stuff like this for us all the time: https://youtu.be/QNuYG9Fu44A?t=492 which was one of his biggest strengths in my opinion.

He's done really well and was signed just in time to cover for the excellent Harwood - Bellis.

[ElectroClaret]

Agree that Ak Dakhil has got the nod because of his speed. Faster than Ekdal and that'll be needed tonight.

Think Vinny knows what he's doing...

[Tribesmen]

Evening all from a sunny evening here in Galway , life is good with a beer in front of me and back in the Premier League by 10pm . Hummmm can't wait to read the papers in the morning .

[NewClaret]

I thought he was. Wanted too much time on the ball and slowed play down. Didn’t look up to speed.

I agree. Passing was poor too, although I often think that with his long balls when others say it’s a strength.

[Tricky Trevor]

Sorry, I want to start off by saying that I only recently started following Burnley because of Ekdal moving there since he played for our club (and is a close personal friend of mine), but why is he benched? In the Burnley-matches I've seen he seems to have done really well and I thought he had his position in the starting-11 locked down. Has he been poor recently or is it a tactical decision? What are your views on him in general so far? Thanks!

Didn’t he come back from the internationals injured? Maybe he’s not 100%.

[Sheedyclaret]

No he wasn't.

He was very sloppy in possession and more often then not gave the ball away although probably lost his sharpness through injury

[claretandy]

THB rested according to VK, he will play against sheff utd.

[Burnleyareback2]

Clocking in from Antalya - a little tense as there is still no sign of the game appearing in the bar.

Let’s get into em. #utc

[Selby Claret]

Come on lads. Let’s get it over the line tonight, then win it on Monday.

By ‘win it’ on Monday do you mean the game or the title? Because only one of those two things can happen on Monday

[Down_Rover]

I thought he was. Wanted too much time on the ball and slowed play down. Didn’t look up to speed.

Could not agree more.

His hesitancy on the ball put us under unnecessary pressure on a number of occasions

In his absence we have played the ball out from the back much more quickly

[CaptJohn]

Squad usage with two very tough games in a few days IMHO.
Thought THB was not his usual self against Sunderland so not surprised to see him left out tonight. Good to see we have an impact sub (Benson) on the bench. The Foster situation is a tad concerning though. I did say at the time that it could be an issue with SA officials but is he back in the UK? Has he been sighted at Gawthorpe??

[Commy]

Kompany said he was back.

[expoultryboy]

Much rather have Ekdal but we'll be ret .

[bfcjg]

Boro have to go for it, recent results for them and Sheffield U dictate that. I reckon high scoring and they will leave numerous gaps for us to exploit.

[boatshed bill]

Squad usage with two very tough games in a few days IMHO.
Thought THB was not his usual self against Sunderland so not surprised to see him left out tonight. Good to see we have an impact sub (Benson) on the bench. The Foster situation is a tad concerning though. I did say at the time that it could be an issue with SA officials but is he back in the UK? Has he been sighted at Gawthorpe??

He (Foster) may not have trained much since his return.

[Buxtonclaret]

Evening, All.
Big night tonight. Official Up Chance!
Title on Monday.

COME ON UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU CLARETS!!

[Ampth7]

I would take a draw now if I could. Boro away will be a tough test I reckon.

[mkmel]

Watching from the Philippines with a 3.00am kick off time here.

Hoping for a win to clinch promotion.

Come on you Clarets!!!!!!!

[RVclaret]

I would take a draw now if I could. Boro away will be a tough test I reckon.

Yep, yet to lose at home under Carrick.

[Bigvince]

El Dakil quicker than Ekdal, wonder if that’s why he’s in

[St Austell Claret]

UTC NNN, come on you Clarets. Have a good un fellas

[tally]

Will be watching on VIA play here in (the fan battle strewn) Netherlands

[mkmel]

Yep, yet to lose at home under Carrick.

You missed a bit at the end.......

.......until tonight!

[ecc]

VK's not scared of making bold decisions. Placing his confidence in AAD is a sign of that. If Ekdal isn't injured he has him there to come on if need be. Not what you'd want but if needs must needs must.

[claretandy]

We can beat the record for promotion with 7 games to go if we win.