Sheffield United v Middlesbrough Tonight

[tiger76]

Halfway through stoppage time last night I wouldn't have imagined we'd be a point better off on the Sheffield gap come the end of tonight.

Just shows you doesn't it sometimes a point can be a decent outcome.

[ClaretTony]

Not worried, just want promotion clinching as soon as we can

That's how it has to be surely.

[NewClaret]

Just shows you doesn't it sometimes a point can be a decent outcome.

Very good point (pun intended).

[wilks_bfc]

Blackpool. Rarely seem to finish a game with eleven men.

They’ve had 9 sent off this season

[ClaretTony]

They’ve had 9 sent off this season

Six more than any other club

https://www.uptheclarets.com/202223-goa ... ttendances

[morpheus2]

Totally disagree. Trophies are all that matter, otherwise what are we all playing for?

Pretiumque et causa laboris.

[mdd2]

I think despite our good run of form Boro have gained only 3 points less than us in last 15 games. They are going great guns at present.

[wilks_bfc]

Six more than any other club

https://www.uptheclarets.com/202223-goa ... ttendances

Why are rescinded reds included in the records?
Doesn’t feel right that Roberts is included, and I’m assuming that would also still be in the disciplinary points?

[claretonthecoast1882]

Perfect result for us last night, leaves Sheff Utd looking over their shoulder than up at us.

Clearly some are still concerned that we won't go up judging by the desire for Sheff Utd to win last night and keep Boro at a distance, I would rather focus on winning the league than settling for just promotion. I wonder what odds those thinking last nights result was a bad one will offer anyone who thinks it was a good result for promotion now we atre only 15 points clear with a game in hand.

[AlargeClaret]

Totally disagree. Trophies are all that matter, otherwise what are we all playing for?

Absolutely staggering you’d sacrifice premier league promotion (and let’s face it the clubs financial future) and playing against some of the worlds best , for the sake of a play off spot . History will record a champ title for exactly what it is “ a decent achievement “ it’s almost an invisible stat. Brilliant season but promotion is all IMO

[AlargeClaret]

Again a boro win still 15 behind with a game in hand surely the best result

Fair point but I’d sooner be 18 with a possible 21 to come . Sure we wanna be champs but for me guaranteed promotion is the thing .

[Ric_C]

Absolutely staggering you’d sacrifice premier league promotion (and let’s face it the clubs financial future) and playing against some of the worlds best , for the sake of a play off spot . History will record a champ title for exactly what it is “ a decent achievement “ it’s almost an invisible stat. Brilliant season but promotion is all IMO

Total rubbish, I never said anywhere I'd want to sacrifice anything? Anyone who is worried about Boro catching us at this point presumably doesn't believe in this team. Promotion would be great sure, but titles are what you remember, further down the line. Why do you think everyone is so fond of the 1991/92 team?

[Burnley1989]

I'm with Ric, I want the title, 100%.

I'd even go as far as to say I'd be disappointed if we didn't win it at this stage (Obviously I'd have bit your hand off for 2nd at the start of the season)

[The Hung Juror]

Clearly some are still concerned that we won't go up judging by the desire for Sheff Utd to win last night and keep Boro at a distance, I would rather focus on winning the league than settling for just promotion.

I think most who are thinking this, like me, are confident we will be promoted, but just want it to be confirmed at Deadwood.

[ClaretTony]

Total rubbish, I never said anywhere I'd want to sacrifice anything? Anyone who is worried about Boro catching us at this point presumably doesn't believe in this team. Promotion would be great sure, but titles are what you remember, further down the line. Why do you think everyone is so fond of the 1991/92 team?

I think everyone is fond of the 1991/92 team because it brought to an end seven years of misery. I don’t think the reaction would have been any less no matter how we’d gone up.

I agree with you to an extent. I want to win this league again so much but the ultimate aim has to be winning promotion.

Second in 2013/14, winners in 2015/16. Did the second one feel that much better?

[Ric_C]

I respect everyone's opinion on this, but the thought of Ollie McBurnie or Michael Carrick gurning round the pitch with the trophy while we pick up our runners up medals makes me sick in the stomach tbh.

[Hipper]

I enjoyed the Sheff Utd - Middlesbrough game last night - very good game between two good but contrasting teams. Sheffield United seemed to have got their tactics wrong yesterday as Middlesbrough exploited lots of space either behind the defenders or between the forwards and defenders.

I also noticed lots of misplaced passes by both sides, just like us on Tuesday. Our team really does set high standards and we can be allowed the occasional off day. So can Sheffield United. They're still seven points clear of third with a game in hand.

[Swizzlestick]

I respect everyone's opinion on this, but the thought of Ollie McBurnie or Michael Carrick gurning round the pitch with the trophy while we pick up our runners up medals makes me sick in the stomach tbh.

Sick in the stomach? Really?! The aim is Premier League - if we are league winners (we will be), happy days, if not, I think we'll get over it in about an hour.

[boatshed bill]

.

Second in 2013/14, winners in 2015/16. Did the second one feel that much better?

What about the Wembley play-off final?
It doesn't get much better than that (IMHO, of course)

[tiger76]

8 points clear of Sheff Utd now, surely the title has to be our aim.

Credit to Carrick at Boro though he's doing an amazing job with them, thankfully we've got a healthy cushion and the games are running out.

[Ric_C]

I think everyone is fond of the 1991/92 team because it brought to an end seven years of misery. I don’t think the reaction would have been any less no matter how we’d gone up.

I agree with you to an extent. I want to win this league again so much but the ultimate aim has to be winning promotion.

Second in 2013/14, winners in 2015/16. Did the second one feel that much better?

Actually Tony, the 2013/14 season was a better feeling for me for various reasons, but it all depends where we are coming from. We had no expectations at the start of that season. The 2015/16 was good as we won the championship title, something I'd never thought I'd see us do.

However finishing second after being top for most of the season and being the best team consistently, is totally different feeling to finishing second after a tight nervous run in.

[Spijed]

What about the Wembley play-off final?
It doesn't get much better than that (IMHO, of course)

I think the Wembley promotion was special, not least because we hadn't played in the top division since the mid 70's and that added to all the excitement of winning in the play-off final. It felt like we'd won the F.A. Cup as it was a similar atmosphere with all the flags and scarves.

For me, the first SD promotion felt a bit more exciting than the second one as I never thought we'd get back to the Prem for many years after we'd been relegated in 2010.

[martin_p]

I think most who are thinking this, like me, are confident we will be promoted, but just want it to be confirmed at Deadwood.

Given it clashes with FA Cup QF weekend and we’re favourites to be in it we don’t even know when the Blackburn match will be.

[claretandy]

Tough 12:30 kick off away at Millwall for Sheff Utd next, Boro are at home to hapless QPR at 3, it could be down to 4 points at 5 o'clock.

[tiger76]

Tough 12:30 kick off away at Millwall for Sheff Utd next, Boro are at home to hapless QPR at 3, it could be down to 4 points at 5 o'clock.

Could be equally we could be 11 points clear of Blades.

Sheff Utd do still have a game in hand, but their present form gives Boro hope of catching them.

[Ric_C]

What last night's result also does is put the fear of doubt in Sheffield Utd. Getting battered at home by their closest threat to promotion won't do them any favours confidence wise.

[ClaretTony]

What about the Wembley play-off final?
It doesn't get much better than that (IMHO, of course)

I’d rather not be going through play offs but I was trying to make the point of being first and second.

[AlargeClaret]

Total rubbish, I never said anywhere I'd want to sacrifice anything? Anyone who is worried about Boro catching us at this point presumably doesn't believe in this team. Promotion would be great sure, but titles are what you remember, further down the line. Why do you think everyone is so fond of the 1991/92 team?

I don’t think anyone’s worried in the slightest about any team catching us . It’s a simple case of being as clear as possible from the 3rd place team ( which happens to be Boro ) nothing else matters until promotion is secured. By your logic it’s ok to allow the third place team to close . I wonder if VK thinks like that . The title is for after promotion is sealed .

[Quicknick]

We may be 8 clear of Sheff U and 15 ahead of Boro [game in hand on them], but things can change around at 3 points for a win.

[tiger76]

We may be 8 clear of Sheff U and 15 ahead of Boro [game in hand on them], but things can change around at 3 points for a win.

They can and we do still have both our closest rivals to play, however I'd far rather be in Burnley's position than either of the other 2.

[Quicknick]

They can and we do still have both our closest rivals to play, however I'd far rather be in Burnley's position than either of the other 2.

By a long way. I was just being cautious.

[houseboy]

Fair point but I’d sooner be 18 with a possible 21 to come . Sure we wanna be champs but for me guaranteed promotion is the thing .

I wanted a Boro win because there is no chance of them catching us. They are 15 points behind us having played a game more and our form, despite a laboured performance on Tuesday, has showing no sign of weakening. We are currently on target for 103 points given our average per game, even if that dropped we could still easily reach over 90.
The only team looking over their shoulder now are SU, and even they are in great form apart from last night. Still convinced us and SU for top two. I think Boro have left their good form just a little late.

[evensteadiereddie]

They can and we do still have both our closest rivals to play, however I'd far rather be in Burnley's position than either of the other 2.

By the time we play Sheff Utd and Boro we'll probably be two games from promotion.
I suspect we'll be playing them for the title.

[Spijed]

Form guide:

[Elizabeth]

The only team looking over their shoulder now are SU, and even they are in great form apart from last night. Still convinced us and SU for top two. I think Boro have left their good form just a little late.

By the time SU have completed their forthcoming tough run of fixtures I expect Boro to be breathing down their neck and poised to overtake them.

It was a pleasure watching the slick movement of their play and left me thinking our style will similarly be too much for SU when we play them on the Turf

[Ric_C]

Another thing to throw into the mix is that the Championship title is the highest most realistic prize we are ever going to get in our lifetimes.

FA cup or league cup? Unlikely

Premier League? not a chance

So any result that enhances our chances of winning it, is a good one in my book.

[burnleyaremy2ndteam]

Up the Boro!

[Robbie_painter]

Imagine not believing this side will be able to hang onto a 15 point lead with 15 left to play! I’d be a lot more worried if we were Sheff Utd.

[Exsus]

Another thing to throw into the mix is that the Championship title is the highest most realistic prize we are ever going to get in our lifetimes.

FA cup or league cup? Unlikely

Premier League? not a chance

So any result that enhances our chances of winning it, is a good one in my book.

I quite agree

[warksclaret]

Biggest thing about last night was the fixture, even before a ball had been played. A win win for Burnley with all the 3 potential scores. Sheff Utd have been our biggest challenger and beat us convincingly scoring 5. This will damage confidence with Boro creeping up on them. Then you have sides like Watford, WBA, Luton all capable of taking points off both teams. I think 92 points will secure promotion

[Tribesmen]

Imagine not believing this side will be able to hang onto a 15 point lead with 15 left to play! I’d be a lot more worried if we were Sheff Utd.

Yer United and Boro fans would they be worried if they had our lead ?

[Dazzler]

Who's to say both Sheff utd & Middlesbro can't go on an unbeaten run right to the end of the season (we went 23) & we have a blip or 2?

Our 2 main Central defenders out, still in the FA cup & a very busy April to come.

[Tribesmen]

It's not going to happen Daz , we win simple as that = Champions

[houseboy]

By the time SU have completed their forthcoming tough run of fixtures I expect Boro to be breathing down their neck and poised to overtake them.

It was a pleasure watching the slick movement of their play and left me thinking our style will similarly be too much for SU when we play them on the Turf

Hope so, we owe them for that second half demolition job at Bramhall Lane. Other than that though I am convinced they have enough in their locker to see it out. Hope so as I quite like SU (and have a good mate who supports them) but I have no particular affection for Boro. Either way I can’t see us failing in any way. 8 points clear at top and 15 from third with a game in hand. As they say, whats not to like. Makes you think about those silly dropped points early season with those injury time equalisers. 12 more points or so and the Champagne corks would be popping now.

[basil6345789]

Who's to say both Sheff utd & Middlesbro can't go on an unbeaten run right to the end of the season (we went 23) & we have a blip or 2?

Our 2 main Central defenders out, still in the FA cup & a very busy April to come.

Burnley Moaner

[jedi_master]

Who's to say both Sheff utd & Middlesbro can't go on an unbeaten run right to the end of the season (we went 23) & we have a blip or 2?

Our 2 main Central defenders out, still in the FA cup & a very busy April to come.

Obviously anything is possible - but what would make anyone think it's likely? We didn't play great against Watford but were comfortably the better team against a good side despite that (and we only conceded due to a dreadful error as opposed to anything the opposition did).

We are playing superb football, scoring the most goals, conceding the least goals and have the squad depth to cope despite losing quality players to injury. We have Benson, Rodriguez and Harwood-Bellis out (Beyer now, too). How do you think Boro would have done without their top winger, main scoring striker and (arguably) best centre back for a period of time? That would be Forss, Akpom and Fry injured for Boro/N'Diaye, McBurnie and Egan for Sheff Utd. They wouldn't cope but we have been able to due to the sheer quality we have in our ranks.

I have no concerns - however, Luton and Millwall are tough games. If we can come through those with 4 points I will be delighted.

[Dazzler]

Burnley Moaner

Chickens & hatch type of guy more like.

[Rileybobs]

Who's to say both Sheff utd & Middlesbro can't go on an unbeaten run right to the end of the season (we went 23) & we have a blip or 2?

Our 2 main Central defenders out, still in the FA cup & a very busy April to come.

We’re mathematically up. It won’t happen.

[evensteadiereddie]

No, we're not.

[NRC]

We’re mathematically up. It won’t happen.