Boro

[BWFC_Insane]

Fancy us for something from this game, slightly worrying about injuries at the back though. Not that Mills has been great, but it just means we're going to have to play yet another pair together there.

[midlands exile]

JIMMY Phillips is happy to play “Tinkerman” until the very end to protect his unbeaten record as caretaker boss.

Faced with the challenge of his former club Middlesbrough tomorrow, the Bolton-born coach knows this will be his last stint in charge of his home-town club before handing over the reins to Dougie Freedman.

But Phillips is determined to finish in style, and has pledged to persist with the often experimental, but always entertaining style that has won over so many people on the terraces in the last fortnight.

From employing Kevin Davies as an emergency centre-half at Wolves, to switching Chris Eagles in from the right wing against Bristol City to swing the game in Wanderers’ favour – tactical twists have been par for the course so far under the Academy chief.

And if the surprise element is needed once again to get the better of former Ayresome Park team-mate Tony Mowbray, Phillips is only too happy to oblige.

“It’s whatever works to get the result,” he said. “I didn’t anticipate having to play three at the back (at Wolves), or having to throw a midfielder (Keith Andrews) on to get us a goal, but I think it was a gamble worth taking.

“Putting Kevin back there at centre-back, I was confident he’d do a good job, because the experience he’s got as a player - I knew he wouldn’t let us down.

“You have to be willing to try little things. Sometimes they work, sometimes you have to change again. But it’s important to be flexible.”

It seems likely that a different approach will be needed at the back tomorrow with Matt Mills currently struggling to overcome a tight hamstring.

That could mean an opportunity for Sam Ricketts, who came off the bench at Molineux, or Zat Knight, whose future has come under scrutiny since being dropped completely from the squad in Phillips’ first game in charge.

Knight played 90 minutes for the development squad on Monday night, but Phillips insists there are no hidden problems that have prompted his decision.

“There hasn’t been an issue with Zat whatsoever,” he said.

“We decided to give Tim Ream a run and the thought behind it was that he’s a quicker defender.

“We just felt with the pace at the back we could squeeze the play a little bit more.

“Having said that, we knew that come set plays we might leave ourselves a bit short.”

The complete polar opposite of our previous manager.... And that can only be a good thing!

[Harry Genshaw]

2-1 win. Dougies prescence gives the lads a lift. Ream gets his 1st goal for us

[DJBlu]

Boro are on a good run at the minute.

Unbeaten in 4 and beating Brighton away too.

Not going to be a good game so would be good to get something from this.

Draw 1-1 is my prediction.

[Lord Kangana]

I seem to think we have a good record against Boro – any truth in that? I do at least remember beating them 4–1 about seven years ago.

Duuuuh see my post - 96. First ever away win in the prem Simon Coleman played after his big injury and scored I think...Nathan Blake scored...David Lee?

Cheers for the pub recco Caps.

I'm getting the image of Scott Green grinning on top of the pile-on......

[Ianmooreslovechild]

Reckon we'll get a point out of this one. Hopefully Ricketts will get to prove his worth ,natural replacement for Mills as both Knight and Ream seem happier left side. And yes hasnt Phillips been a breath of fresh air with his crazy notions of getting players fit and having a flexible plan B and C.
Hope Eagles gets to play a free role again. Bottler that he can be I think it's a big help for him to be able t move about and have a bit of a run a different defenders looking for weak points.

[Annoyed Grunt]

Score prediction....same as the Wolves game, 2-2.

[Whookam]

Boro haven't lost at home yet.

2-0 to the Whites

[Ianmooreslovechild]

We'll play with Petrov/eagles and mavis together,concede first and maybe scrape something out of it.Can't see too many changes being made although if Mills is unfit Ricketts should start.Whether he is beeside Knight or Ream may depend on how good boro are in the air. Phillips may want to continue with Ream to build his confidence but he's hopeless in the air and with Ricketts in there is some degree of pace already.
Mavis no doubt will start having scored. So....

Mears Ricketts Knight/Ream Warnock
CYL Mavis Spearing Petrov
.....................Eagles
..........................KD
I quite like the look of that team although I doubt they will ever get thru 90 mins without conceding. I dont see the point in playing Afobe(doesnt give a feck) or Ngog(only useful as a lone striker and KD is in better form) and Sordell wont start. Not rigid 442 but fluid 442/451/433

[Worthy4England]

I seem to think we have a good record against Boro – any truth in that? I do at least remember beating them 4–1 about seven years ago.

We have a good record at home to them W33 D15 L6

Bit more patchy away W16 D12 L26 - but still not lost, more than we've lost.

We don't want to draw them in the cup...W1 D3 L5

[thebish]

Boro are on a good run at the minute.

Unbeaten in 4 and beating Brighton away too.

Not going to be a good game so would be good to get something from this.

Draw 1-1 is my prediction.

so are we - unbeaten in TWO!!!

[bwfcdan94]

start of a winning streak IMO

[Relentless09]

start of a winning streak IMO

Someone had to go and say it

[cecil.bob]

No chance of a stream anywhere I'm guessing... 3-2. Not sure who'll win, but that's the scoreline... Would love to get a point out of today. Three would be nice, give Phillips something to go out on, Dougie something to come in. COYWM!!

[Gail Platz]

Probably a bit late to post now but those looking for a pint yes it's Dr Browns you need to go to, it's only 5 mins from the ground.

Gutted I'm missing this, my mate couldn't go so I'll be sat scratching my arse watching Jeff 'tan from a bottle' Stelling this afternoon!

I'll take a draw, Boro are a decent side. A win at their place would be some boost though.

[bobo the clown]

I reckon we'll get a win. Or maybe a draw ... if we don't lose.

There'll be corners & goalkicks & throw-ins & everything.

Here's hoping for a clean sheet .... mind you, I hoped to win last nights lottery. Damnit.

[Relentless09]

Judging by a tweet from Sordell, he's not in the squad again

[TANGODANCER]

Judging by a tweet from Sordell, he's not in the squad again

Not understanding this at all. Team, yes, but not on the bench even, is a real odd-ball. Here we have an England under 21 international who cost 3m and can't get on the bench. Must be injury or there's something drastically wrong somewhere?

[Relentless09]

Judging by a tweet from Sordell, he's not in the squad again

Not understanding this at all. Team, yes, but not on the bench even, is a real odd-ball. Here we have an England under 21 international who cost 3m and can't get on the bench. Must be injury or there's something drastically wrong somewhere?

Really is an odd one, not playing for his club but still gets called up for the under 21's and Team GB

[Gail Platz]

Just so folk know, he's said

"Good luck to the boys at Boro today, bring back the three points"

It's very strange.