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

[footyskillz]

I like idea of 2 holding midfielders and that would allow wing play and full backs involved.

A Lewis Grabban goal and getting greedy a goal late on while boro push for equaliser.

Quietly confident of a positive win result. Otherwise its a 1-1 or 0-0

Utv!

Good luck to all going and all of us supporting!

[eddiemunster]

Any truth that Bunn is playing instead of Johnstone?

[LeeB]

I like idea of 2 holding midfielders and that would allow wing play and full backs involved.

A Lewis Grabban goal and getting greedy a goal late on while boro push for equaliser.

Quietly confident of a positive win result. Otherwise its a 1-1 or 0-0

Utv!

Good luck to all going and all of us supporting!

Can I just say mate, your stat posts of late have been really interesting and it’s good to have you back on the site.

And I can’t wait for your transfer suggestions this summer when we clinch our inevitable promotion via the play offs. I reckon Jay spearing could be prised away from Blackpool for starters.

UTV indeed.

[sickbeggar]

If he is i'm worried. Not because i think he's that crap, but because he's not going to having the same understanding with the defence that Johnstone has. Mind you, a knackered 'keeper who's spent all day at his wife's bedside isn't ideal either.

[Matt Collins]

No worries as there is not a great deal of difference between two of them.

I have to challenge that but respectful of your view.

SJ has been a match saver with his keeping this season. Numerous occasions has been extraordinary whereas I find reserve bunn a mere ordinary in nets

Did we worry when a young kid came on at the start of an important game after probably the best keeper in England was injured?

I think that’s called an exception to the rule

I still remember Blackburn when that kid came on. Adam something?

Obviously bunn isnt a kid. But he is a bit rubbish

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Does anyone think Jedi and Whelan would both start then?

And leave the front 4 to do the attacking whilst rest defend.

I really hope not. They’re identical. Just Jedi because he can assist with the Tiny Penis hoofs upfield.

[curiousorange]

No worries as there is not a great deal of difference between two of them.

I have to challenge that but respectful of your view.

SJ has been a match saver with his keeping this season. Numerous occasions has been extraordinary whereas I find reserve bunn a mere ordinary in nets

Did we worry when a young kid came on at the start of an important game after probably the best keeper in England was injured?

I think that’s called an exception to the rule

I still remember Blackburn when that kid came on. Adam something?

Obviously bunn isnt a kid. But he is a bit rubbish

Adam Rachel. It was never a sending off in the first place, but that was against Blackburn at a time they were big enough to get refereeing decisions.

[SoccerHQ]

I'm starting to feel properly 'jumpy' as kick off looms. I can't think of the last time that a Championship Play Off Semi' was effectively decided after the opening leg: and I can't see anything changing today. I've voted for the draw (1-1), but a goal either way wouldn't be the end of the world for either side - or, indeed, a huge surprise. I just hope we bring our A Game to both legs and find a way to overcome another dogged Pulis side that will doubtless be difficult to open up. Fingers crossed eh?

UTV

Two years ago SB's Hull went to Derby and won 3-0.

[SoccerHQ]

Does anyone think Jedi and Whelan would both start then?

And leave the front 4 to do the attacking whilst rest defend.

Have they actually started a game together as a combination....if anything screams anti football.

We should be o.k with just Jedinak as obviously Boro will have more set piece chances at home. Would then start Whelan second leg.

[Matt Collins]

They both started away at Brentford and had rings ran around them

[clash city rocker]

On 83 minutes tonight with the score at 0-0 time will stand still for a few seconds. A poor cross from Albert will be partially cleared to 30 yards out. Standing there will be Mr Hutton who will hit the sweetest volley of his life. A split second of silence followed by delirious celebrations by villa fans as the ball lashes into the back of the net. Don't forget...you read it here first.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Good news: I dreamt we won one-nil. Bad news: Jasper Carrott scored the winner. That seems mildly unlikely.

Fool! That wasn't Jasper Carrott it was Glenn Whelan.

[Pete3206]

In Paris today anybody know a bar that might be showing the game?

Thanks in advance.

I'll be in the Erdington area, so I'm in a similar quandary. Can anyone help out?

How I wish the internet had some sort of search engine facility. 

[Drummond]

Ah that's a problem we could do without.

I assume his GF is based in Cheshire so will be a struggle to get him to Boro if he hasn't travelled up with us.

No it won't. Helicopter would cover the distance in no time and plenty of places to land near Boro.

A helicopter to Middlesbrough?!  Do you think we have James Bond's budget or something?

Yep.

[Drummond]

Quick quote on one site for a return trip is £8k. So not much in the grand scheme of a footballer's pay