I think it’s too close to decide at this point. I think Southampton faltered but controlled themselves to recover, and Boro seem to be strengthening and solidifying their crusade towards the end of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game ended in a 1-1 draw or 0-0, but either group will go into the match thinking they can get something out of it.
“They will come into the game with confidence in their abilities. Neither team will come into the game with doubts or thinking they’ve had a rough patch, so it looks like it’s a close game. I don’t see many buts. dedans. Je I’m going through to get through the 1-1.
“I think, actually, they’ve got to win this game to have any hope of making the playoffs. It’s a game that can serve as a great stepping stone if Boro can win it. “
“You’re getting very close to the end goal and everything you need to accomplish. Every game you play now, you get closer and closer. Crazy things are going to happen in the league between now and the end of the season.
“We’ll take the day as it comes and we’ll have a tough game against Middlesbrough, who are in good form, especially away from home. They have a smart coach who I respect a lot and I think they were unlucky if you look at that data.
“They probably deserve to be a little bit above what they are. It’s a tough game, but everyone is in this league. I’m excited about this challenge. After a long break, we want a result and it’s a wonderful weekend for us.
“They’ve changed their form recently and they’ve worked pretty well, but they’re flexible. I don’t know why their away record is better than at home, but when you look at the games, they’re pretty consistent. There’s no difference in setup or functionality and they’ve been good. “
Southampton are a very smart team, they make paints for them, they take care of the ball, they also rotate the paint space and you have to be very smart in how you play against them. They’re a smart team, they’ve got attacking threats, they’re dangerous, they score a lot of goals and they’re the best in the league with a lot to play for.
“It’s that time of year when you start to get to that level where things can be won and lost pretty quickly. We have our own projects and we look forward to them for our own reasons.
“We try to win each and every game, so it’s not about going through to replace the way we handle the game. We go into games to win, we plan to win, we don’t think about anything else. “It doesn’t replace that. I understand the scenario and where we are in the league, but to check and get the result, the preparation is the same. “
Middlesbrough will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run this afternoon when they take on Southampton at St Mary’s, hoping to keep their championship play-off hopes alive.
Three straight wins before the international break have brought them back into contention, although still as losers, they signed before the foreign break with a frustrating goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers. That leaves Boro seven problems shy of the most sensible six with 8 games remaining.
Southampton are today’s opponents and after losing to Boro in September in the opposite game, they have been almost flawless. Since then, they have lost only 3 matches, two of them they have lost in their last 4 matches. This era has also taken notice of them, conceding 12 goals in their last five games, giving hope to Boro.
Will Michael Carrick’s side be able to pull off a big win at St Mary’s?Join us for live updates throughout the day.
It ends after that far-fetched ending. Football. . .
In fact, it’s a goal that is likely to have a bigger impact for Southampton, with Boro now nine points adrift of the top six. However, in less-than-ideal cases due to injuries, it’s believable to come in and fight for a point.
Boro Level! Boro crosses to Gilbert’s right and is a great ball. Latte Lath beats her boy and guides his head to the back corner.
Four more minutes and Thomas and Dijksteel update Ayling and Azaz.
Another clever save from Dieng, this time to deny Fraser the Saints’ counterattack. Understandably, Boro are pushing for an overdue draw and are now being left a little more open.
After sitting and stretching before halftime, Jones recovered and this time requires treatment.
It turns out that his afternoon is over and Alex Gilbert is getting ready.
This delayed replacement now comes as Silvera replaces Greenwood.
Fraser arrives to the right of Boro. La low ball in front of the target this time is hit with much more venom, so Dieng can only hit this one. Armstrong follows, but Dieng raises his arm and blocks that effort before a little push and final clearance.
That leaves Boro on the counterattack with Isaiah Jones barging in. Stevens did enough to get the recovery started when Jones arrived in the box.
Boro is by no means out of this game. The Saints remain free, allowing Boro to take advantage of opportunities.
Silvera seemed fit to come in, but Carrick simply asked him to back off and delay the change.
After a positive start to the second half, those two big chances for Southampton ended Boro’s momentum and they once again took a more cautious strategy as the game settled down after that fast start in the half.
Boron is under a lot of pressure after its positive start in the half.
After the mistake moments earlier that didn’t go unpunished, Dieng had to make a brilliant save as Adams this time beat the offside trap and had countless times in his one-on-one position. Dieng stands tall and makes a great save.
Soon after, Armstrong’s shot was blocked by Clarke but fell softly at Adams’ feet inside the six-yard box. He reacts well to control it, but shoots wide.
Southampton goal sent off for offside. Sulemana again on the right. His low ball in front of goal lacked much rhythm and he got close to Dieng. He jumps in but can’t stand it. Che Adams took advantage of this by shooting into the net, but the offside flag was temporarily raised to send him off.
There are early signs that Boron is going to press harder in the first half. He has already forced Southampton to make two mistakes by betting from behind.
Good counter-attack from Boro, who reached Azaz on the halfway line. He turned and rolled well with the ball before releasing Latte Lathn, who had deflected to the left. The Ivorian raced towards goal before firing a low shot, but in the end it was undeniable. for Bazunu.
It’s a smart start though, as Boro has greater intentions at the start of the second half. Azaz has been positive so far, he’s been one of Boro’s most productive as they’ve grown in the game.
We are back on the road back without changes
It will be the same XI at the start of the second half.
In hindsight, in the opposite game, Boro had a lot of luck with an urgent recharge against Martin’s team, who loves to play from the back.
Admittedly, they were still learning the taste back then and in a difficult era until now where they are in better shape and more familiar with the taste, they still seem nervous on the property. Azaz’s only chance at Boro to hit the post came off the property. of the ball in the Saints’ half.
But they have been reluctant to interact too much with the press, as they instead seek to put other people behind the ball, as they have effectively done recently. The challenge is that Southampton’s move means they are creating gaps and simply taking merit. of the time on the ball that Boro is giving them.
Personally, I’d like to see Boro interact more with the press in the second half. You don’t have to be enthusiastic. But so far, Latte Lath has an isolated, frustrated figure as he chases the shadows in Southampton’s half, with his teammates doing well, him and the ball.
It took them about 30 minutes to go in and they were 1-0 down in the 11th minute. I’ve grown up a bit, but in part I’ve helped the Saints who are sinking into a bit of complacency. The only chance was a lightning bolt that saw Azaz hit the post, but otherwise lacked quality.
Boron at half-time
Boro took advantage of the transition by giving the ball into their own half. That means there’s room for Sulemana behind Engel. He’s been a dangerous man, no matter what band he appeared in. Under pressure from the recovering Clarke, he shoots over the bar.
I don’t need Boro to need that. After a Boro attack down the right resulted in a corner, Jones sat down and called for a clever stretch. They dropped him out without needing treatment, but it wasn’t an encouraging sign as halftime approached.
At least they’re starting to offer a little more on offense, especially with Jones breaking the last shoulder on the right and getting in on several occasions. We are still far from the required levels, but they are progressing.
But Engel is suffering. Another one of those days where he loses the ball every time he gets it back, and he was also given acres of box on that left flank.
Azoz bursts into the bos with the ball and uses Latte Lath’s run as a decoy, placing one near the post. He hit Bazunu off the post and, coming out, eluded Latte Lath and Jones.
Boro were the best, with Southampton making a couple of mistakes in possession. Borons aren’t willing to dedicate too much and push them higher.
It’s all Southampton right now. Boro wants to devote himself to the press any more than Latte Lath, giving Southampton all the ball, albeit largely in the top two-thirds of the pitch. But when they enter the final third, even as Boro tries to keep them at bay, the look of the house seems capable every time. Massive intensification by Boro is needed.
You look very exposed and out of the way for Boro. Southampton are pleased to be patient and watch him chase the ball as they kick it from the sidelines.
Moments after the restart, the ball fell softly to Adam Armstrong in a similar domain just to the right of the center of the box. This time, challenged through Clarke, he deflected his attempt.
Boro surprised and having to go through this delicate period.
Boron behind. Ayling beat Sulemana on the right, but the cross was dealt with through Howson. He misses his volleyed clearance attempt and returns to Armstrong, who has enough time to pick the lowest corner. Clinical ending.
Southampton, who, unsurprisingly, have settled into the game’s maximum dominant position when it comes to possession. It may simply be a return to a four-man defense, but at first, the focus was on protecting and blocking.
Forget that, once it’s resolved, Boro looks more like a 4-2-3-1 with Howson in BC along with Clarke and Ayling in RB. Isaiah Jones is much further forward on the right than Engel is on the left.
We are on our way
Making a lot of noise in a strangely muted atmosphere of the circle of relatives.
It’s just a few moments before the start!