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