Five Things We Learnt From Birmingham 2 Middlesbrough 2

Birmingham    2        Middlesbrough    2

                    Gleeson 33 Davis 68                                       Rhodes 40 Ramirez 57

Could this turn out to be one of the most costly mistakes in football? Middlesbrough fans will certainly hope not.

Boro Players Celebrate Gaston Ramirez's Second Half Goal
(Picture from BBC Sport) 

Lineman Tom Nield’s decision to disallow Daniel Ayala’s goal in the 70th minute of last night’s game with Birmingham could all be forgotten about if Boro beat Brighton next weekend and end their seven year drought outside the Premier League.

If that doesn’t happen, then Nield could quickly become public enemy number one on Teesside after replays showed he got the offside decision catastrophically wrong.

Boro fell behind at St Andrew's following Stephen Gleeson’s fine strike in the 33rd minute. Jordan Rhodes equalised seven minutes later, following blunder from Birmingham keeper Adam Legzdins, before Gaston Ramirez headed the visitors ahead from close range after half time.

The goal fest continued as David Davis drew the side’s level again before Ayala appeared to have restored Boro’s advantage, when he swept a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Yet he was incorrectly flagged offside.

So was it a point gained or two points dropped for Aitor Karanka’s men? Well they have moved back to the top of the Championship, due to promotion rivals Burnley and Brighton not playing until Monday, and if they beat Brighton on the final day of the season next week they will be guaranteed promotion.

Here are just a couple of things we learnt from last night’s game, ahead of that all-important clash at the Riverside next weekend.

1.                   Boro Need To Start Quicker And Stop Sitting On Leads

Boro started slowly at St Andrews’ and it took a Birmingham goal to kick them into action. Once they had recovered and taken the lead they sat too deep and invited pressure, allowing Gary Rowett’s side to peg them back.

Against Brighton next weekend that could be fatal to Boro’s promotion hopes, not to mention extremely nerve-racking for the Riverside crowd.

2.                   Friend Is A Big Loss

The popular left back missed last weekend’s goalless draw with Ipswich with a hamstring injury and was absent once again last night.

Riche De Laet isn’t a bad replacement but doesn’t inject the same urgency and drive into a game on the left hand side. Boro fans can only hope Friend is fit for the Brighton game in a weeks’ time, or is at least back for the play-offs if they need to do it the hard way.  

3.                   Wrong Decisions Can Make All The Difference

At the end of the day it is a 46 game season and you can’t simply blame the officials if your team doesn’t achieve its goals. However there is no denying that wrong decisions, like the one last night, can prove pivotal. Of course there will always be mistakes and linesmen have an extremely difficult job, but to get a decision that wrong was inexcusable.

Hopefully it doesn’t turn out to have a huge bearing on one of the closest promotion races in recent history, and hopefully there is no repeat in the two games on Monday - featuring Brighton and Burnley – or next weekend.

4.                   Boro Need To Persist With Rhodes, But Nugent Can’t Be Dismissed

Rhodes missed two one on one chances when the game was goalless before he equalised courtesy of Adam Legzdins’ fumble. Even so Rhodes continued to find good positions inside the penalty area and did well to head the ball back to Gaston Ramirez who at the time put Boro in front.

Karanka is blessed that he has two worthy striking options in Rhodes and David Nugent, however for the second game in succession Nugent was only introduced with less than five minutes remaining. Boro fans have already seen the type of impact Nugent can provide due to his energy and tenacity upfront, however he needs more time to express himself if he is coming off the bench.

5.                   Brighton Will Be Huge  

When Boro drew with Ipswich at the Riverside last weekend and the final results elsewhere came through, everyone knew that all would be decided on the final day.

The game between the two promotion chasers was sold out weeks ago, with Brighton also selling out there full allocation. Depending on Burnley’s results, it is likely to be a winner takes all affair at the Riverside with promotion on the line. How are the nerves?

Boro’s Best: Gaston Ramirez

There were a number of good performances from Boro players in the second half. Albert Adomah came alive and provided some good crosses from the right, Daniel Ayala made some vital tackles and interceptions at the back, while captain Grant Leadbitter kept things ticking in midfield.

However Ramirez was once again the catalyst in the Boro attack and continuously popped up in good areas, including when he arrived in the box to head the visitors ahead.

Thorn In The Side: David Cotterill

The Welsh winger was a menace in the second half on the right hand side and provided a pin point cross to set up David Davis, who subsequently scored Birmingham’s equaliser.

Cotterill almost found a winner for the hosts when his powerful free kick was parried by Dimi Konstantopulos before Boro were able to clear the danger.

Birmingham v Middlesbrough Preview

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka insists he is feeling ‘calm’ ahead of his sides final two fixtures this season, which will determine whether they are playing Premier League football next campaign.

Boro are locked in a three way tussle at the top of the Championship with Burnley and Brighton, all of which have 87 points with two to play.

Karanka’s men have the chance to move ahead in tonight’s game away at Birmingham, while there promotion challengers have to wait until Monday to play their penultimate fixtures.

But whatever happens this bank holiday weekend, the permutations will all be decided on the final day of the season when Boro host Brighton at the Riverside. Defeat for either side would more than likely see them slip into the unpredictability of the play-offs, though Karanka maintains he only thinking about today’s game.

“I don’t want to think or don’t have time to think about the play-offs or the Premier League” said the Boro boss “ the players are really really calm and are looking forward to the remaining games”.

Karanka was also wary about underestimating a Birmingham side who are 9th in the table and can no longer make the play-offs.

The Spaniard referred back to Boro’s last minute winner against Bolton and last Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Ipswich to make the point that there are no easy games in this division.

Team News

Boro have no new injury worries ahead of tonight’s game, however the fitness of left back George Friend remains unclear.

Friend limped off with a hamstring injury in Boro’s draw at Burnley and missed the game with Ipswich last Saturday. Karanka confirmed yesterday that he is ‘still waiting’ on the full backs condition.

Birmingham are likely to be without goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak who broke his nose against Huddersfield last weekend. Winger Jacques Maghoma and forward Jon Toral are also expected to miss the match with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

Full back Paul Caddis sustained a calf injury in training but could still feature. Midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld appears to have recovered from a thigh injury which prevented him from playing last weekend.

The Opposition

The season is finishing with a splutter for Birmingham, who have won just one of their last 10 games and have slipped 10 points off the final play-off spot in recent weeks.

Despite their current position of ninth in the table, winger David Cotterill said that the Blues have underachieved this season. That is a testament to the work manager Garry Rowett has done since he took the job in October 2014, back then Birmingham were 23rd in the league following an 8-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Up until early March this campaign had been a promising one for Birmingham, as they had spent most of the season lingering in and out of the top six. However some narrow defeats in the past few months have derailed their play-off hopes and there may be an eye or two already looking towards next season.

One To Watch

Clayton Donaldson

Boro fans may remember the 32-year-old striker as he scored the opener when the sides played out a 1-1 draw at St Andrews last season.

He often leads the line on his own in a 4-2-3-1 formation, similar to Boro’s, and his pace and power can cause defenders all sorts of problems.

Donaldson missed the goalless draw at the Riverside earlier in the campaign but is Birmingham’s top scorer with 11 league goals, the last of which came against Preston in the Blues last home game.

Last Time Out

Middlesbrough 0 Birmingham 0

To two sides played out a goalless draw back in December on wet and miserable day at the Riverside.

Boro had the better chances in the opening exchanges and almost took the lead when Grant Leadbitter hit the post.

Michael Morrison could have won it for the visitors but headed wide from a set piece late on. The match finished in dramatic fashion when David Nugent was sent off for throwing Maikel Kieftenbeld to the floor in stoppage time.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

With two games to go and no injuries the team should pick itself at this stage of the season.

With the exception of Friend, who is an injury doubt, I think many people would agree that this is Boro's strongest side and is the one Karanka should pick when everyone is fit.  

Boro Surrender Lead After Frustrating Stalemate With Ipswich

Middlesbrough surrendered their lead at the top of the Championship on an afternoon which will be remembered for missed chances and an opportunity squandered.

Aitor Karanka’s team were held to a goalless draw by an Ipswich Two side who - in contrast - had nothing to play in terms of league positioning, and have now gone seven games without a win.

Emilio Nsue rues a missed chance in the first half
(Picture from BBC Sport)

In all honesty Mick McCarthy’s side were there for the taking, yet Boro’s lack of killer instinct in the final third resulted in two costly points dropped.

The consequences are that the top three in the Championship including Burnley, Boro and Brighton are now all on 87 points, and can only be separated by goal difference with just two games to go.

With promotion on the line Boro can no longer afford any more slip ups, especially when they host Chris Hughton’s Brighton on the final day of the season.

Boro made just a single chance from the side which drew 1-1 with Burnley in mid-week. It came in defence as the injured George Friend was replaced by Ritchie De Laet at left back.

In contrast McCarthy made four alterations from Ipswich’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham, as David McGoldrick, Kevin Bru, Luke Hyam and Paul Digby all started.

Boro may have gotten out of jail on a couple of occasions in recent weeks though a bundle late goals and tight victories, however on this occasion their lack of bite in the final third was made to show.

The hosts had 17 shots compared to Ipswich’s four, yet only five were on target. At times Ipswich were well organised and tough to break down, as you’d expect from a Mick McCarthy side, however a more clinical outfit could have easily bagged three or four against a side playing for pride alone.

Jordan Rhodes started his career at Ipswich and should have punished his former side when he was released through on goal by Gaston Ramirez.

Since the Scotland international left the tractor boys back in 2009, he has earned a reputation by scoring chances like this one. However on this occasion Town keeper Bartosz Białkowski spread himself well and saved the strikers effort low to his left.

That wasn’t Boro’s only chance of the first half, and Białkowski also came to Town’s rescue minutes earlier. Rhodes’ cushioned header dropped into the path of Downing who rifled a shot towards goal, only for the Ipswich keeper to beat the ball clear.

Ipswich’s only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes came after three minutes when McGoldrick fired straight at Dimi Konstantopulos.

The visitors had energy upfront though Freddie Sears and Liam Feeney and they created a decent defensive unit when Boro were in possession, even so the hosts should have taken the lead minutes before the interval.

After a scrappy period of play on the edge of the Ipswich box the ball eventually broke to Emilio Nsue, who had a clear sight at goal but hesitated and allowed Digby charge back in front of him. The backtracking defender slid to ground and was able to block the shot when Nsue finally pulled the trigger. Another chance missed for the hosts.

After the break Adomah brought a save from Białkowski before Adam Clayton’s cross was hooked back across goal by Downing but the Ipswich keeper saved comfortably.

Białkowski was beaten moments later when a great piece of skill from Gaston Ramirez saw him skip past three Ipswich players and set up Rhodes inside the area. With him back to goal, the forward turned and rolled an effort towards the target, however it rebounded off the inside of the post.

Ipswich did occasionally pose a threat on the counter attack but failed to produce any clear cut chances. Their best opening fell to Feeney 15 minutes from time however he blazed his effort wide.

The hosts had further opportunities to follow their recent trend and grab a late winner but substitute Cristian Stuani headed wide from Adomah’s cross.

Ramirez had looked like Boro’s most creative and influential player, however with ten minutes remaining Karanka withdrew the Uruguayan international to bring on David Nugent.

It was a move which almost paid off deep into added time, when the striker connected with Adam Clayton’s cross but headed straight into the gloves of Białkowski.

Boro travel to Birmingham next Friday before their crunch match with Brighton on the final day of the season, which takes place in a fortnights time.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   6- Had little to do for most of the game

Emilio Nsue   6- Missed a golden chance minutes before half time

Daniel Ayala   6- Defensively sound but his distribution forward was poor

Ben Gibson   6.5- Spent most of his time near the half way line when Boro were in possession

Richie De Laet   6.5- Brought a good balance to the team but lacked the urgency which Friend usually provides

Adam Clayton   7- Kept getting stuck in and tried to move the ball forward

Grant Leadbitter   6- Comfortable in possession but didn’t create much going forward

Albert Adomah   6.5- Put in some decent crosses but none were converted

Stewart Downing   6- Started brightly but faded as the match went on

Gaston Ramirez   7- Was Boro’s most creative player, looked like he’d make something happen

Jordan Rhodes   6- Linked up well with Ramirez but missed the best chance of the game in the first half

Subs

Cristhian Stuani   5- Ineffective after coming on with 20 minutes to go

David Nugent  - Came on for the last 8 minutes, unfair to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Gaston Ramirez

Middlesbrough v Ipswich Preview

For Middlesbrough and Aitor Karanka the mathematical situation is simple, win three games and they will be promoted to the Premier League. Unfortunately football doesn’t always work like that.

The past few weeks have been jam-packed with late goals, relentless twists and unpredictable turns, as the Championship promotion race has once again gone right down to the wire.

This weekend Boro host Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich Town, whose hopes of a top six finish are all but over following a futile run of six games without a win.

Even so as Karanka put it, he is ‘yet to find a team in England who are playing for nothing’. That was evident last weekend when Boro needed stoppage time to overcome a Bolton side whose relegation had already been confirmed.

Karnaka’s side then produced a much improved display and came within minutes of beating promotion rivals Burnley away from home, only to be denied by a last minute sucker punch at the other end.

“We played better than them (Burnley) so I am really pleased and calm” said the Boro boss in his pre-match press conference.

He also acknowledged Boro’s immense support both at the Riverside and away from home, “the atmosphere has been really nice, I’m really proud of them (the fans) because they deserve it”.

A crowd of over 28,000 is expected for the game this weekend.

Team News

Both George Friend (hamstring) and Gaston Ramirez (calf) limped off during Boro’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in mid-week.

Karanka was unable to confirm whether either would play any part in the game, however the Spaniard did state that he wouldn’t start any player who wasn’t 100 per cent fit.  

Ipswich’s top scorer Daryl Murphy remains out with a calf injury, while fellow forward Luke Varney is still side-lined with a hamstring problem.

Midfielders Giles Coke and Ryan Fraser are also missing with long term injuries, however Teddy Bishop could be involved after playing 90 minutes for the Under 21s on Monday.

The Opposition

It’s been a disappointing and frustrating season for Ipswich fans following their adventure into the play-offs last campaign.

They are currently eighth in the Championship following a run of six games without a victory and hopes of making the top six this time around are long gone.

Daryl Murphy, maybe unsurprisingly, hasn’t scored half the amount of goals he bagged last campaign and many fans are growing impatient with manager Mick McCarthy who has been at the club since 2012.

Last weekend they scored a last minute equaliser at home to Fulham, as full back Jonas Knudsen rescued a point.

One To Watch

Tommy Smith

The Ipswich captain is a fundamental part of Town’s backline and has played all 43 league games this campaign.

The New Zealander is strong, robust and good in the air so will also be a threat from set play, he has scored twice this season.   

He will be an important player especially away from home where the visitor will be expected to do most of the defending.

Last Time Out

Ipswich 0 Middlesbrough 2

Boro won at Portland Road for the first time since 1993 back in December after goals from Cristhian Stuani and David Nugent.

Town had the best chance of the first half but Luke Chambers’ effort from close range was saved by Dimi Konstantopulos.

After the break Stuani converted Albert Adomah’s cross from the right with an acute header at the back post on 54 minutes.

Nugent then doubled the visitor’s lead 20 minutes later following a quick counter attack. 

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

At this stage of the season the majority of the team picks its self. 

However with doubts over Ramirez, after his knock against Burnley, I think it is time to tweak the system by playing both David Nugent and Jordan Rhodes upfront.

The pair combined well to score a last minute winner against Bolton last weekend, and I think their mobility could cause havoc for the Ipswich defence who are strong and good in the air but aren't the quickest when it comes to a foot race.

Burnley Snatch Late Point To Keep It Tight At The Top

Burnley    1        Middlesbrough    1   

                           Keane 90+2                   Rhodes 70

Burnley scored a last minute equaliser to stay in touch with leaders Middlesbrough at the top of the Championship.

Boro led by a goal to nil in the top of the table encounter at Turf Moor following Jordan Rhodes’ opener twenty minutes from time.

Yet the hosts snatched a late point through defender Michael Keane to keep the gap at the top down to just two points with three games to go.

With the top two drawing, Brighton were the real winners of the night after they thrashed QPR 4-0 to move level with Burnley on 84 points.

Chris Hughton’s side still have to travel to Middlesbrough on the final day of the season in what could be a winner takes all clash.

Boro came closest to opening the scoring in this meeting, when Stewart Downing’s corner fell to Albert Adomah on the edge of the box but his effort clipped the top of the cross bar.

Burnley responded as Joey Barton flashed a shot wide but it wasn’t until the second half when the deadlock was finally broken.

Downing’s free kick wasn’t cleared by the Burnley defence, allowing Rhodes to cleverly dink the ball over keeper Tom Heaton from inside the area.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser as George Boyd’s shot was blocked on the line by Richie De Laet, before substitute Ashley Barnes was also denied.

Eventually it came when Keane bundled home Matthew Taylor in-swinging corner to rescue a point.

Boro Leave It Late, As Rhodes Rescues Three Points

Bolton    1        Middlesbrough    2

                                  Vela 61                              Rhodes  73 90+1

Jordan Rhodes scored a stoppage time winner as Middlesbrough came from behind to beat already relegated Bolton at the Macron Stadium.

The result keeps Boro top of the Championship with four games remaining, ahead of a decisive fixture with promotion rivals Burnley on Tuesday.

Rhodes’ header in the dying minutes was Boro’s second late winner in the space of a week, following Adam Forshaw’s last gasp strike against Reading last Tuesday.

The goal also marked Rhodes’ first double for the club since his arrival in January, after he had earlier cancelled out Josh Vela’s opener in the second half.

The win means Boro have now won their last six league fixtures, but this was far from straight forward against a Bolton side who are already preparing for life in League One next season.

The visitors saw most of the ball early on but rarely tested Bolton keeper Ben Amos in a cagey first half. The closest they came was when Stewart Downing’s thumping volley from the edge of the area rebounded off the cross bar.

Bolton responded when Zach Clough set up Mark Davies but his back heel was saved by Dimi Konstantopulos. Clough then had an effort of his own which shaved the top of the cross bar.

The hosts took the lead on 61 minutes when Emile Heskey’s knock down was lashed home from close range by Vela. Twelve minutes later Boro were level when Rhodes’ header was blocked by David Wheater but fell back into the striker’s path for him to make it 1-1.

Boro claimed the winner after five minutes of stoppage time were showed by the fourth official. It came when substitute David Nugent hocked the ball back across goal for Rhodes to head home from close range.

Last Gasp Winner Sends Boro Top Of The Championship

Middlesbrough    2        Reading    1

                             Nsue 10  Forshaw 90+4                                           Cox 53

Promotions and titles are often won by fine margins and pivotal moments, which can either make or break a long hard season.

If Middlesbrough achieve promotion this campaign, then the last few minutes of this nail-biting encounter could turn out to be the difference between Premier League football and another undistinguished campaign in the constant slog of the Championship.

Boro's late pressure eventually pays off

They could easily have lost this game after four minutes of added time were shown by the fourth official. Having taken the lead though Emilio Nsue in the first half Boro were pegged back by a plucky Reading side, who drew level though Simon Cox after the interval.

From there the match could have faded out into a frustrating draw, or worse, for Boro side who knew a win would take them to the top of the table with five games to go.

In the 91^st minute the visitors should have won it when Stephen Quinn set up Matěj Vydra, but the Czech international blazed his effort over the cross bar with the goal at his mercy.

Minutes later Boro won a corner, and after the ball had cannoned around the area, smashed off Albert Adomah face’s and eventually dropped to Adam Forshaw, the later finally buried a shot low into the bottom corner and past keeper Ali Al-Habsi to send the home fans into raptures. Far from the prettiest of goals but it could be the most valuable.

It’s a result which moves Aitor Karanka’s side to the top of the Championship, two points ahead of Burnley and four ahead of third place Brighton.

It won’t go down as the most convincing of wins but there will be few complaints from 22,000 fans who witnessed this decisive triumph. Karanka too knew the importance of this last gasp victory and even the often composed Spaniard struggled to keep a lid on the vigorous celebrations which followed.

The Boro boss made just one change from the side which beat Preston on Saturday as the in form Gaston Ramirez dropped to the bench and was replaced by Ritchie De Laet.

The Belgium defender slotted into his accustomed right back position, meaning Nsue pushed forward to the right side of midfield and Stewart Downing was moved inside to the number 10 position behind striker Jordan Rhodes.

Reading manager Brian McDermott also made just one change from the side which lost 2-0 at home to Birmingham at the weekend. It came upfront as Matej Vydra replaced Yann Kermorgant.

With the fog descending across the Riverside, it was the hosts who made the early breakthrough on 10 minutes. Nsue started the move when he played the ball to Downing inside the Reading half, the Boro midfielder then released George Friend who had made one of his trademark runs down the left hand channel.

The full back’s low cross was swept goal bound by Rhodes, however the striker’s effort rebounded off the post and back into the path of lively Nsue, who had arrived in the box following his earlier contribution.

The Equatorial Guinea international then tucked the ball past Al-Habsi from close range to register his third goal of the campaign. He celebrated by running into the corner in front of the home fans, who chanted his name in the process.

The hosts had chances to double their lead. On 20 minutes Friend’s effort from the edge of the area was deflected into the side netting. Minutes later Downing set up Adomah, who subsequently showed good footwork to cut inside from the right, but his low shot was saved by Al-Habsi.

Reading’s closest effort came in the opening 45 minutes came when Cox flashed an effort wide. However Dimi Konstantopulos had been a spectator for most of the half.

That changed after the interval, as Boro began to sit back and invite pressure onto their often solid defence. Even so their clean sheet was obliterated on 53 minutes, when substitute Andrew Taylor, formerly of Boro, took a shot from outside the box which was parried by Konstantopulos.

There were three Reading players ready to convert the chance and after a brief moment of hesitation it was Cox who finally pocked it home. That was followed by a belated Boro response, however for long spells it appeared like the opportunity was slipping though their fingers.

Downing’s curling effort was saved was saved by the legs of Al-Habsi, minutes later Ben Gibson headed a corner into the ground and over the bar from close range.

After their victory over Preston at the weekend Albert Adomah admitted that some of the players were nervous in the final few minutes. They did respond to Reading’s equaliser here and finally began to dominate possession.   Even so their build-up play was anxious and slow in the hope that something might finally drop their way.

Al-Habsi denied Downing again when he parried another left foot effort away from goal. Minutes later he comfortably caught David Nugent’s header, after the striker had replaced Jordan Rhodes with five minutes to go.

Vydra’s miss proved pivotal and just like Brighton did against Nottingham Forest on Monday, Boro capitalised in the dying seconds. They now travel to Bolton on Saturday for the first of their remaining five games.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   6- Could have done better with the goal, not much to do otherwise

Richie De Laet   6.5- Balanced his attacking and defensive duties well

Daniel Ayala   6- Distribution was below his usual standard, still solid at the back

Ben Gibson   6.5- Swept up danger and made some important interceptions

George Friend   6- Was constantly up and down the left, final delivery was poor at times

Grant Leadbitter   6- Replaced in the second half after he looked like he was tiring

Adam Clayton   7- Potent figure in midfield, won tackles and helped pass the ball out of defence

Albert Adomah   6- Wasn’t as effective as in recent weeks

Emilio Nsue   6.5- Adapted well to a change of position with another energetic performance

Stewart Downing   6.5- Created most of Boro’s chances in the second half

Jordan Rhodes   6- Lacked service once again

Subs

Adam Forshaw   6.5- Provided more forward passes and scored the all-important winner

Gaston Ramirez   6- Came on with 23 minutes to go but wasn’t enough time to make an impact

David Nugent – Came on with five minutes to go, not enough time to give a fair rating

My Boro Man of The Match: Adam Clayton

Middlesbrough v Reading Preview

Middlesbrough will go top of the Championship if they beat Reading at the Riverside tonight.

It is Boro’s third home game in a row after the fixture, originally scheduled in February, was rearranged due to Reading’s FA Cup commitments.

Aitor Karanka’s side ground up a 1-0 victory over Preston on Saturday and after the game goal scorer Albert Adomah admitted his side were nervous in the second half.

Even so the Boro boss chose to look at the positives saying “even when we were nervous we were still really really confident, together we fight for every ball”.

Karanka admitted that Boro were fortunate to hang on against a strong and direct Preston side and confessed “in the second half they were better than us”.    

He expressed the difficulty of playing a third consecutive game at home in the space of just seven days, however he couldn’t hide away from the ‘massive’ opportunity Boro now have with just six game to go.

Boro have had games in hand earlier in the season but have failed to capitalise on them. A victory would move them a point ahead of leaders Burnley and four clear of third place Brighton with five left to play.

Team News

Boro didn’t sustain any new injury problems in their victory over Preston on Saturday. Adam Clayton started that game on the bench, due to a dead leg, but should return.

Garath McCleary and striker Deniss Rakels were fit enough to start on the bench in Reading’s 2-0 defeat at home to Birmingham. Forward Hal Robson-Kanu and midfielder Aaron Tshibola remain out with leg and hamstring injuries respectively.

The Opposition

At the start of the season it looked like Reading could mount a decent challenge for at least a play-off spot. However those thoughts are long gone.

After slipping down into mid-table Steve Clarke was sacked in early December and replaced by Brian McDermott, who returned to the club he achieved promotion with in 2012.

Since then the Royals’ best results have come in the FA Cup, however their run was ended Crystal Palace at the quarter final stage last month.

Since McDermott was reappointed Reading have won six, drew six and lost seven in the league. They beat Bolton and Nottingham Forest back to back before losing to Birmingham on Saturday. That result left them 14^th in the league on 51 points.

One To Watch

Oliver Norwood

Only full back Chris Gunter has played more minutes for Reading than the Northern Irish midfielder this season.

Norwood’s main job is usually to protect the back four; however he has also contributed with three goals and six assists this campaign.

He is comfortable on the ball and rarely gives away possession. His goals are usually spectacular ones, as he is a fine striker of the ball and can’t be given time on the edge of the area.

Last Time Out

Reading 2 Middlesbrough 0

Boro bumped into Reading at just the wrong time when the sides met at the Madejski Stadium at the start of October. The Royals were in fine form having won four of their last five league games, they took the lead after just 15 seconds when Danny Williams headed in Hal Robson-Kanu’s cross.

Boro almost equalised when Stewart Downing’s shot was saved by Ali Al-Habsi. However the points were sealed when Fernando Amorebieta fouled Nick Blackman in the penalty area and the striker converted the spot kick in the 88^th minute.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

At this stage of the season Karanka has to play his strongest team. There are no injuries, that we know of, so Boro have to give everything to try and win this game, as it would put them in a commanding position at the top with five games to go.

Boro Hang On To Make It Four In A Row

Middlesbrough recorded their fourth victory in a row after a hard fought battle with Preston at the Riverside.

Albert Adomah scored the only goal of the game when he converted George Friend’s cross on 32 minutes, and the hosts appeared to be in full control after a relatively comfortable first half.

In the end they were left hanging on against a strong and physical Preston side, who would have equalised if it wasn’t for Friend’s goal line clearance mid-way through the second half.

It was no classic but it’s a result which moves Boro four points clear of Brighton in third place and keeps them within a point of leaders Burnley, who won the day’s early kick-off.

Aitor Karanka‘s side could claim the top spot for themselves if they beat Reading at home on Tuesday night.

With six games to go promotion remains firmly in Boro’s control, however it is games like this which can cause unexpected turbulence.

Preston were no pushovers and were an awkward proposition through there hard challenges and forceful methods. It was a far tougher challenge than the one posed by Huddersfield at the Riverside on Tuesday night; however Boro came through it unharmed and with their promotion hopes still intact.

Karanka made four changes from his side’s victory in mid-week. Adam Clayton dropped to the bench after sustaining a knock in the closing stages of the Huddersfield game. Adam Forshaw replaced him in midfield while Daniel Ayala, Cristhian Stuani and David Nugent also came in.

Simon Grayson also made a number of changes following his side’s 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham on Tuesday. Adam Reach, on loan from Boro, was ineligible to play while Middlesbrough born Jordan Hugill missed out though injury.

In his pre-match press conference Karanka stressed the importance of a strong start and an early goal following the goalless draw between to two sides earlier this season.

However in the opening exchanges it was the visitors who passed the ball with greater impetus and fluidity, as Boro struggled to sustain possession and were forced back inside their own half.

Even so keeper Dimi Konstantopulos was rarely tested, and after a sluggish 15 minute spell Karanka’s side began to flick through the gears.

On 22 minutes Adomah’s cross from the left found Stuani at the far post, however his header was saved by Preston keeper Anders Lindegaard.

Lindegaard may have been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United back in 2010, however the Danish goalkeeper hardly covered himself in glory minutes later when he dropped Emilio Nsue’s cross and left the ball loose in the penalty area.

With the goal now unguarded Nugent managed to conjure up a shot during the goal mouth scramble. However it was cleared off the line by the well positioned Bailey Wright. The ball broke loose and Adomah then fired in another effort but Wright was once again on hand to clear the danger.

Even so it wasn’t long before Adomah was celebrating when Boro opened the scoring on 32 minutes. Gaston Ramirez dropped deep and switched the ball from right to left to the on-rushing Friend.

The full back’s cross fell perfectly at the feet of Adomah, who had taken up a great position in the heart of the penalty area. With one touch the Ghanaian international knocked the ball in to space and tucked the ball past Lindegaard with complete composure. 1-0 the deadlock was broken.

Boro should have doubled their lead before half time when Ayala showed great vision to release Nugent, who appeared to be clear through on goal. He checked back to avoid the back-tracking Wright, however his subsequent effort was saved by the strong hand of Lindegaard.

After the break Leadbitter flashed a low free kick wide of the post, but from then on it was Preston who moved into the ascendancy.

They played to their strengths and looked to launch the ball forward to their front pairing of Joe Garner and Eoin Doyle at every opportunity. On 62 minutes the later almost drew the teams’ level when Paul Gallagher’s cross was spilled by Konstantopulos.

Doyle’s consequent effort was blocked by a combination of Gibson and Friend on the Boro goal line before the ball was eventually scrambled to safety.

The visitors came again minutes later when Garner flashed a shot wide. Konstantopulos then parried away Marnick Vermijl’s thumping volley from the edge of the area.

Boro could have made the final few minutes a little easier when a late corner fell at the feet of Adomah but Lindegaard saved at his near post.

It didn’t matter as the hosts hung on and now have the chance to move top if they beat Reading on Tuesday.

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   7- Made a couple of decent saves and was put under pressure at set plays

Emilio Nsue   6.5- Forced to defend a bit more but still showed good energy on the right

Daniel Ayala   7.5- Won header after header against Preston’s physical front two

Ben Gibson   7- Won areal duals and swept up the danger in Boro’s penalty area

George Friend   7.5- Threat going forward and put his body on the line at the back

Grant Leadbitter   7- Sat in and defended when he had to, was efficient in possession as well

Adam Forshaw   6- Tidy on the ball but struggled the make a major impact

Albert Adomah   8- Full of energy, closed the ball down well and grabbed the winner

Cristhian Stuani   5- Looked lost on the wing once again

Gaston Ramirez   6- Subbed in the second half had to drop deep to receive the ball

David Nugent   6- Looked affective in the first half but was anonymous after the break

Subs

Stewart Downing   6- Replaced Stuani on 63 minutes, gave the side more balance

Adam Clayton   6.5- Came on after 70 minutes and Shored up the midfield

My Boro Man Of The Match: Albert Adomah 

Middlesbrough v Preston Preview

Aitor Karanka praised in form player maker Gason Ramirez ahead of his sides home clash with Preston this afternoon.

The Uruguayan, on loan from Southampton, has scored six goals in 11 appearances since his arrival in January. He scored twice- as well as winning a penalty- as Boro swept Huddersfield aside on Tuesday night.

“When fit he is an amazing player” said the Boro boss whose side have won their last three games. “The player who changed everything (against Huddersfield) was Gaston, every time he touched the ball he was a problem for them and he is improving every single day”.

Ramirez’s form has been a revelation for Boro’s promotion hopes, and with seven games to go their fate is in their own hands.

They remain a point behind leaders Burnley and are a point ahead of Brighton in third; both, however, have played one game more than Karanka’s side.

A home match against a mid-table Preston side may appear a favourable fixture; however Karanka remained wary of a potential slip up, especially after the goalless draw between the two sides back in August.

“They are really organised and we had a lot of problems against them (in the reverse fixture), we have to trust our style and play with intensity and try to score as soon as possible”.

Team News

Karanka admitted that Boro ‘would have to wait’ on the fitness of Ben Gibson and Adam Clayton after both sustained knocks in mid-week.

Gibson played with pain in his hip throughout the game against Huddersfield while Clayton sustained a dead leg and didn’t train with the team the following day.

After Tuesday’s defeat at home to Fulham, Preston were left with a number of injury concerns. Defender Tom Clarke sustained concussion, while Calum Woods and Jordan Hugill picked up calf and ankle injuries respectively but could still feature.

Adam Reach, on loan from Boro, is ineligible to play against his parent club but Jermaine Beckford could return after a long term injury.

The Opposition

Preston are a team which have improved as the season has gone on. Following their draw with Boro in the opening game of the season, they slipped into the bottom three in the middle of October after recording just one win in their first 11 league games.

Since then their Championship credentials have never been in doubt, and they now sit a comfortable 10^th place following their promotion from League One last season.

Simon Grayson is an experienced manager at this level and his side have been strong at the back this campaign conceding just 38 goals.

Preston’s best run was in February when they won 4 games in a row but since then results have been more up and down. Last Saturday they beat Blackburn away from home however they then lost at home to Fulham on Tuesday night.

One To Watch

Paul Gallagher

The 31-year-old midfielder has been one of Preston’s most influential players this campaign after he signed permanently for the club in the summer.

He has made 35 league appearances in the heart of midfield this campaign, contributing with five goals and five assists. He is also influential at the other end and has helped make Preston difficult to break down this season. He has picked up nine yellow cards in the process.

Last Time Out

Preston 0 Middlesbrough 0

Neither side really did enough to win the reverse fixture back in August, as both sides began the season with a goalless draw.

Boro had the best chance of the game in the first half but Grant Leadbitter shot wide when he was sent through on goal.

Preston also came close to scoring but Will Keane’s header was cleared off the line by George Friend.

Team I Would Play

(Picture from Gazette Boro)

After three wins in a row most of the team pick it's self. Clayton and Gibson picked up knocks against Huddersfield so could be rested, especially with another game on Tuesday.  However they have worthy replacements in Forshaw and Ayala.

The main dilemma for Karanka will be upfront and whether to stick with Jordan Rhodes or bring in David Nugent. I would go with Nugent on this occasion for his energy and ability to close the ball down quickly, which will be important against a stern Preston defence.

Boro Thrash Huddersfield To Close The Gap At The Top

Middlesbrough    3        Huddersfield    0

                Leadbitter (Pen) 32  Ramirez 33 77

After nervy victories against Hull and QPR, Middlesbrough ticked off another Championship fixture in more routine fashion as they convincingly beat Huddersfield at the Riverside Stadium.

A Grant Leadbitter penalty and two goals from Gaston Ramirez moved Aitor Karanka’s side to within a point of leaders Burnley with a game in hand.

Boro fans pay tribute to former commentator
Ali Brownlee in the 56th minute 

Boro still have seven games remaining as they continue to strive for a Premier League place next season. After this result they will be many people’s favourites to claim one of the two automatic promotion places – especially with a favourable run in.

Next up are two more home games against Preston and Reading before a trip to bottom of the table Bolton, who could be relegated when the sides meet on April 16.

There is bound to be a test somewhere in there, this is the Championship after all, however after this display the confidence and feel good factor appears to be back.

It is now three wins in a row for a Boro side who, less than a month ago, looked like throwing away their prominent position following back to back defeats against Rotherham and Charlton.

Like in the second half against QPR this performance had energy and urgency about it and in truth it was as good as over by half time.

Huddersfield shot themselves in the foot by giving away the penalty and then conceding possession from the kick-off to fall 2-0 behind. It could be argued that they made it easy for Boro to play against them, but credit must be given for another tenacious display.   

Karanka stuck with exactly the same side which won at QPR last Friday meaning Tomas Kalas kept his place in the back four, despite Daniel Ayala’s return from injury.

Christian Stuani started on the bench after he missed the trip to Loftus Road following his involvement over the international break. However it was another Uruguayan who stole the show here, as Ramirez added his fifth and sixth goal for the club since his arrival in January.

The visitors were forced to make one change as left back James Husband –on loan from Boro- was ineligible to play. There was a Riverside return for Dean Whitehead who joined the Terriers in the summer after a two year spell in the North East.

Before this game David Wagner’s side had scored eight goals in their last five away outings and in the opening exchanges they passed the ball with confidence and guile.

Eventually though, as they so often do at the Riverside, it was the hosts who took control and it was Karanka’s side who created the first chance when George Friend’s cut back found Albert Adomah before his effort was blocked.

It was a night which provided a stage for Boro’s creative players to flourish. The like of Adomah, Ramirez and Jordan Rhodes were able to roam around in the final third and looked likely to make a difference whenever they received possession. On 32 minutes they made the breakthrough.

With his back to goal, Ramirez turned Joel Lynch in the penalty area and was clipped by the defender prompting referee Stephen Martin to point to the spot.

Grant Leadbitter missed a penalty against QPR on Friday but didn’t hesitate in making the score 1-0 here. He tucked the ball past Jed Steer, who guessed the right way but couldn’t keep it out, and Boro had the all-important opener – under Karanka they rarely lose when they go ahead.

Then, straight from the kick-off the hosts made it two when Ramirez dispossessed Whitehead in the Huddersfield half and charged towards goal. At first it looked like the Uruguayan may have taken it too far when he attempted to take the ball around Steer, however from a tight angle he fired it into the roof of the net to give Boro breathing space.   

On the right wing Adomah continued to look lively, before Boro’s opener he left Whitehead for dead and delivered a cross which Rhodes couldn’t quite get on the end of. After the break the Ghanaian international was set up by Ramirez inside the area but Steer denied him.

At the other end Dimi Konstantopulos had a quiet evening and Boro’s back four were well protected by the industrial duo of Leadbitter and Adam Clayton.

With 13 minutes remaining Boro sealed the points when Ramirez curled a spectacular free kick into the top corner from a central position. It could have been four when Nsue drove forward and cut in from the right but Steer tipped his effort over the bar.

The remaining seven games won’t all be as easy as this, but Boro are now one step closer to finishing in one of those golden automatic places.

Player Ratings 

Dimi Konstantopulos   6- Was a spectator for most of the game

Emilio Nsue   7- Linked up well with Adomah once again and almost got on the score sheet

Tomas Kalas   7- Earned his place and didn’t put a foot wrong once again

Ben Gibson   7- Cleared the danger whenever in came near him

George Friend   7- Made a couple of bursts into the box

Adam Clayton   8- Made selfless tackles and blocks all evening

Grant Leadbitter   8- Controlled the midfield and converted his penalty

Albert Adomah   8-Was relentless down the right both with and without the ball

Stewart Downing   6- Kept the side balanced but was anonymous for most of the game

Gaston Ramirez   8.5- Had the match-winning qualities to win the game

Jordan Rhodes   6.5- Working hard but the chances still aren’t dropping for him

Subs

Adam Forshaw   6- Replaced Clayton with 16 minutes to go

David Nugent – Replaced Rhodes with 11 minutes to go, unfair to give a fair rating

Christian Stuani - Replaced Ramirez with 4 minutes to go, unfair to give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Gaston Ramirez

Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Preview

Middlesbrough will host the first of three back to back home games tonight when they take on Huddersfield at the Riverside.

Aitor Karanka’s men hurled themselves back into the automatic promotion places over the weekend, thanks to Friday night’s victory over QPR, and will now attempt to complete their quest to reach the Premier League in the final eight games of the season.

In his pre-match press conference Karnaka remained as level headed as ever, advising his side to ‘forget about the other two (home) games’ against Preston on Saturday and Reading the following Tuesday.

Boro’s end of season run-in is certainly easier on paper than last year’s schedule, in which they had to travel to Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich in their final eight matches.

That is a factor Karanka has acknowledged in recent weeks, however he has also reiterated that it would be unwise to take any team for granted, especially after Boro’s defeats to Rotherham and Charlton last month.

The Boro boss went on to say he is ‘optimistic’ that his team can get over the line this time around. “We are better than we were last season, we are more mature than we were last season and we have more experience than we had last season” he stated with the upmost authority.

Team News

Before Boro’s trip to QPR, Karanka indicated that he had a fully fit squad. Daniel Ayala returned from an ankle injury and came off the bench as a second half substitute. The Spanish defender has been missed in the past few weeks and could make his first start in two months.

Cristhian Stuani was absent from the squad which travelled to Loftus Road after he represented Uruguay during the international break. However the forward is expected to return for this encounter.

Huddersfield are still without midfielders Jonathan Hogg and Kyle Dempsey who have knee and calf injuries respectively. Full back James Husband is ineligible to play as he is currently on loan from Boro.

The Opposition

Huddersfield aren’t mathematically safe but should have enough to avoid the drop this season. They are 18^th in the table, eight points clear of MK Dons in 22^nd, with eight games remaining.

It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Terriers, at the start of the campaign it took them seven games to win a match before they finally beat Charlton away from home.

However their form remained sketchy and manager Chris Powell was dismissed in October. Under new boss David Wagner their results did pick up over the Christmas period and they have since been able to stay clear of the bottom three.

In their last five games they have convincingly beat Reading and Leeds 3-1 and 4-1 respectively, while losing tight matches to the likes of Derby Burnley. On Saturday they lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday.

One To Watch

Nahki Wells

Despite playing for a side in the bottom half of the table, Wells is still the fourth top scorer in the Championship this season.

The agile forward has found the back of the net 15 times in the league this campaign and scored in three of the Terriers last five away games.

Last Time Out

Huddersfield 0 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough left the John Smith’s Stadium with all three points despite having just 25% possession back in November.

Adam Clayton opened the scoring against his former club after just nine minutes.

Huddersfield came close to equalising when Nahki Wells hit the bar; however the visitors sealed the points six minutes from the end when Emilio Nsue cut in from the left to score his first goal for the club.  

Team I Would Play

Picture From Gazette Boro

I'd make just one change from the side which beat QPR on Friday night as the second half was some of the best attacking football Boro have played all season.

If Daniel Ayala is fully fit again he should slot back in at centre-half alongside Ben Gibson, as I think the Spainird is the best defender in the league when fit.

If there are any injury doubts over Ayala or Gibson I would have no problem keeping Tomas Kalas in the side as he has performed very well in the last few games. 

Boro Move Back Into Automatic Places After QPR Victory

QPR    2        Middlesbrough    3

                         Mackie 31  Cherry 85                     Rhodes 18  Ramirez 51 

                                                                                          Gibson  57 

Middlebrough moved back into the automatic promotion places after a blockbuster victory over QPR on Friday night.

Goals from Jordan Rhodes, Gaston Ramirez and Ben Gibson meant that Aitor Karanka’s side applied the pressure on leaders Burnley and Brighton, who drew 2-2 in Saturday’s lunch time kick-off.

That result ensured that Boro finished the weekend in the top two with eight games remaining.

Boro's player acknowledge the fans after their away victory  

After looking comfortable at 3-1, they were made to sweat in the final few minutes by a QPR side locked in the clutches of mid table, when Tjaronn Chery’s terrific strike flew in five minutes from the end.

Rangers had drawn level before half time thanks to Jamie Mackie’s equaliser but were second best after the break.

In the end Boro only just held on and can now look forward to three home games in a row starting with Huddersfield tomorrow night.

The visitors opened the scoring when a mix up in the Rangers defence allowed Rhodes to latch onto Grant Leadbitter’s forward pass and bundle his effort past keeper Alex Smithies.

Rangers responded when Mackie’s strike flew over Dimi Konstantopulos and cannoned off the underside of the bar. The assistant referee signalled the ball had crossed the line, and replays showed he made the correct decision.

Boro had the chance to retake the lead after the interval when Albert Adomah was brought down inside the area but Grant Leadbitter’s penalty was saved by Smithies.

However from the resulting corner Leadbitter delivered an inviting cross which Ramirez headed beyond the QPR keeper.

The lead was doubled minutes later when another set piece was nodded home by Gibson.

The points appeared to be safe until Cherry made it a nervy finish for the traveling fans. However they held on to claim a massive three points.