[Archived] Rovers 0 V 4 Middlesbrough review

[RoverDrake]

Berti will probably throw Bazza into the thick of it against Moldova and he'll lose a leg..

[McClarky]

I'm sure they said Fergie was definitely out injured for Wednesday on Sportscene last night. Then again I was quite ###### when I was watching it so maybe they were talking about someone else.

Perhaps Emo and Neill will be able to get back early as they are about 4-1 up from the away leg.

[MCMC1875]

How many expected to travel from Boro?

[BRFC4EVA]

Well last season, it was a boxing day clash, thus increasing the amount of away fans around 4,000ish? This yr i would expect around 3,000 from boro (they have an initial 1,800 with 1,200 extra if needed) which is a decent support considering their size of town. Id expect around 21k overall and a draw, 1-1 i reckon. Emerton for us, dont care for them!

Edited October 11, 2004 by BRFC4EVA

[John]

Of course for our visit Hasselbaink and Viduka return to the Boro squad!

Anyway, in my opinion we are going to rely on our midfield winning their battles in our matches until we see a change of personnel which cannot happen until January. We will almost always concede and are not prolific enough up front so much emphasis goes on our midfielders winning the battle.

[philipl]

They have half a team returnng from injury!... and they got a draw against Man U without that lot?

[SouthAussieRover]

Rovers 0 Boro 1

[Tango]

It doesn't bode well that, on BBC's football page here the Hitchcock to Rovers story appears under The Championship heading...

... Rovers 2-2 Middlesbrough

[trueblue]

they got a draw against Man U without that lot?

So did we

[92er]

They'll be so scared of the mighty blues they might not turn up.

[bob fleming]

It's happened before. Oh no - a few of them had "the sniffles" that was it.

We'll win. It'll be close. 2-1. Stead and The New Brett Emerton for us. JFK for them with a typical thunderbolt of a strike. 21,101. Cold, wet and windy first half, light drizzle (oh yes) in the second. No standing. No singing. No flags. No bar staff. Standing in the Darwen End compulsory. "One more (bleeding) time" on the tannoy.

I'll not be far off with that lot.

[MCMC1875]

It's happened before. Oh no - a few of them had "the sniffles" that was it.

We'll win. It'll be close. 2-1. Stead and The New Brett Emerton for us. JFK for them with a typical thunderbolt of a strike. 21,101. Cold, wet and windy first half, light drizzle (oh yes) in the second. No standing. No singing. No flags. No bar staff. Standing in the Darwen End compulsory. "One more (bleeding) time" on the tannoy.

I'll not be far off with that lot.

You forgot the drummers.

[bob fleming]

Don't they stand up? I think you'll find we've seen the last of them.

[CAPT KAYOS]

Don't they stand up? I think you'll find we've seen the last of them.

Bobf - is this just of the cuff or some element of truth??

Please let it be

[MCMC1875]

Don't they stand up? I think you'll find we've seen the last of them.

Bobf - is this just of the cuff or some element of truth??

Please let it be

There should be a public holiday if this is confirmed.

They are a main reason why there is such little variety in the songs sung because that idiot Boland starts them all off.

Without them we can get back to varied, original and humourous songs!!!

[bob fleming]

No, I made that up. Sorry. (I mean, someone made the point that the chances of a fan having their eye poked out by a fan stood up clapping are greatly increased. What about someone with a ruddy drumstick!! Think of the children someone please!! It's only funny until someone get's hurt (and then it's just hilarious))

However, just 'cause there are 4,000 people in the Darwen End and 2 or 3 drummers stood up in the BBE don't think for a minute that your allowed to stand up as well Capt. As that would be wrong and dangerous. So don't do it.

[Nayef]

Assuming Hasselbaink doesn't have murder in his eyes...

Rovers 2 MBoro 0

Ferguson and a deflected goal from Emerton.

[Hughesy]

I honestly believe we will win this one by at least 2 clear goals.

[USABlue]

Only seen Boro a few times this season and I think they have looked pretty steady at the back and quite good going forward. Add to that our walking wounded and exhausted from international duties and I don't see us getting much from this one. Sorry.

[daviemac]

Can only remember scrappy games, with the winner for either team being as scabby as a lepers dandruff

Got a feeling we will lose this one

[philipl]

daviemac, I am afraid I agree with you. I always saw this as a horrible fixture when the list first came out- a desperate must win at the end of the sandwich between that run of Arsenal, Manu Newcastle games and the Chelsea, Liverpool duo with every prospect the other "easier" games in the sandwich wouldn't yield much.

Boro on paper have the most improved squad in the Prem from this summer's transfer activities yet they have not been producing the goods on the pitch. They will see the visit to Ewood as a must win to get their season finally moving and to be honest, this looked a possible home defeat for the Rovers even if we were doing well.

The good news is that Boro seem to conceed one goal in every game they play. The bad news is they hardly ever conceed more than one goal. The even worse news is that regardless of recoveries from injuries, our defence will find it impossible to keep Boro to a nil score line.

So 1-2 and our home record down the pan.

Of great interest will be whether the Rovers continue playing very attractive football and which of the many nearly playing well Rovers players actually start to play well. At the moment, we have a squad of 20 showing promise of better form but not yet delivering anywhere near consistently enough.

[92er]

Maybe we'll be able to show them they can keep a clean sheet.

[greggyk]

not at all confident about this game. I just cant see us winning it. Its important that both Emerton and Ferguson are fit . And if Andy Todd is anywhere near 100% fit, its important he plays instead of that clown Amoruso

Rovers 1-1 Boro

Emerton (76) JFH(22)

Att: 22,056

[92er]

I don't think there is any chance of Todd playing if what was said in the LET is true(posting on the Reserves).

[Scotty]

Short's back (See Here) so I suspect it will be Short and Amoruso at the back. A combination that has always looked solid on the few occasions they've played together.

After saying that, with the likes of Ferguson, Emerton, Neill and Dickov coming back from two gruelling internationals I'm struggling to see how we're going to win this one.