Middlesbrough v Aston Villa: Semi-Final 1st Leg Pre-Match Thread

[Hookeysmith]

This is where was wanted to be as a minimum so now here do not f*ck it up

Steve

We are better than these in every department so make sure you get into the players heads and we go for the win up there. If they have to come to VP needing to play catch up with 1 or 2 goals we will pick them off.
We have the fire power to destroy anyone of the teams we play - it is all about the mentality and set up

a controlled 1-0 us

Johnstone

Hutton
Chester
Terry
Elmo

Jedinak

Snodgrass
Grealish
Hourihanne
Albert

Grabban

Subs:
Bunn
Samba - if needing to kill off last few mins
Onomah
kodja - for Adomah
Whelan - to tighten up if needed
RHM - to run at them if needed

[Clark W Griswold]

Mike Dean, the referee that truly is a wanker.

[Lobsterboy]

I'll go for a tight 1-1 in the first leg; Grabban for us and Bamford for them.

Wouldn't disagree with the Johnstone, Elmo, Chester, Terry, Hutton, Jedi, Hourihane, Snodgrass, Adomah, Grealish and Grabban line up a few have gone with but think he'll go for a more defensive looking bench away from home.

Would expect Bunn, Bree, Samba, Whelan, Lansbury, Onomah and Kodjia

[mr underhill]

just smash these fuckers Villa

[Drummond]

I think it's best to attack in the away leg. Away goals don't count double or anything but to shut them up at their place and then bring them back to a full Villa Park would be perfect.

Not many seats left now by the looks of things for the game at ours so the atmosphere will overwhelm their supporters.

[The Edge]

Is Mike Dean the prick who celebrated Spurs scoring against us?

The very same. Boro fans are well chuffed that he's reffing the game at villa park. (I popped in on one of their forums and I have a relation who is a big Boro fan)

You're not wrong!

but the really amazing news is the away leg we've got riverside mike dean so we've pretty much won lads.

I take it they've been beneficiaries of his decisions in the past.

Don't matter. Win the first leg of the semi 1-0, see out the second 0-0, and off to Rotterdam Wembley on the 26th.

Yeah that's one of the posts I read. Riverside Mike Dean? Fuck me what's that about does anyone on here know why they like him so much?

[Three Spires Villa]

1-1 for me, we don’t do things easy

[Lastfootstamper]

Is Mike Dean the prick who celebrated Spurs scoring against us?

The very same. Boro fans are well chuffed that he's reffing the game at villa park. (I popped in on one of their forums and I have a relation who is a big Boro fan)

You're not wrong!

but the really amazing news is the away leg we've got riverside mike dean so we've pretty much won lads.

I take it they've been beneficiaries of his decisions in the past.

Don't matter. Win the first leg of the semi 1-0, see out the second 0-0, and off to Rotterdam Wembley on the 26th.

Yeah that's one of the posts I read. Riverside Mike Dean? Fuck me what's that about does anyone on here know why they like him so much?

He sent off a Brighton player in the semi two years ago. And from what I can garner from a quick mooch, they've never lost a game he's reffed.

They're clutching at straws. They know we're coming to ftf.

[Leicester_Villian]

Compared to many of the referees we have seen this season Mike Dean is world class ......
He recently did the Cardiff v Wolves game and had an excellent match ..... two pens right at the end which were spot on
Also the linesmen will be his "normal" team which will be good
Sensible appointment for the game

[Damo70]

1-1 I reckon.

[tomd2103]

This is where was wanted to be as a minimum so now here do not f*ck it up

Steve

We are better than these in every department so make sure you get into the players heads and we go for the win up there. If they have to come to VP needing to play catch up with 1 or 2 goals we will pick them off.
We have the fire power to destroy anyone of the teams we play - it is all about the mentality and set up

a controlled 1-0 us

Johnstone

Hutton
Chester
Terry
Elmo

Jedinak

Snodgrass
Grealish
Hourihanne
Albert

Grabban

Subs:
Bunn
Samba - if needing to kill off last few mins
Onomah
kodja - for Adomah
Whelan - to tighten up if needed
RHM - to run at them if needed

Agree with that starting XI for this game, but it would be a tight call between Jedinak and Whelan in the defensive midfield spot. Onomah and Kodjia would also be in contention for starting spots, though it might be worth keeping them back to add a bit of energy in the closing stages.

[Clampy]

I'd go with Hookeysmith's team as well and Bjarnnason would get the nod on the bench over Lansbury.

[PeterWithesShin]

May not affect many travelling up, but just in case here is some info Boro have posted about travel near the stadium.

Click me

[IFWaters]

Who's picking up Traore?

[Ads]

The physio will be, about 3 minutes in.