Edmund Posted 30 April 2010 Posted 30 April 2010 Views on the game from a Middlesbrough fan. BORO EYE VIEWBoro will look to put one last good performance in before a long summer of trying to build themselves into a promotion contender. Barry Robson gave an interview to the MFC website this week, explaining how building a winning team is still a work in progress. It seems Robson will be an integral part of that team; Article right here Some young players such as Luke Williams and Joe Bennett are getting a chance to show they belong in the first team picture next season. While neither promotion nor relegation is on the line for Boro, that does not mean this game will not be entertaining. The pressure being lifted can free up a team to play some entertaining football, consider the 8-1 final day victory over Manchester City as an example. LEICESTER EYE VIEW Leicester have turned their performances around to go into their guaranteed play-off spot in good form. Former Boro hero Nigel Pearson has done an excellent job throughout the season. The Foxes have shrugged off a four game losing streak, to win their last three games, even after sustaining a season ending injury to star striker Matty Fryatt. They have certainly shown resilience, even if they can’t sing! HEAD TO HEAD Goalkeepers Boro – Brad Jones will hope he has done enough recently to fight his way into the Australian World Cup squad. It remains likely Boro will bring in an extra keeper over the summer. Leicester – Chris Weale has become a big favorite with the Leicester fans, and his impressive play has seen linked to a number of Premier League clubs according to the tabloid rumour mill. Edge – Leicester. Weale appears to have a bright future ahead of him. Boro Defence v Leicester Attack Boro – Boro fans must hope this is not the last game Stephen McManus plays for the club. Chris Riggott has performed well in some all too rare first team games lately. While Riggott is a talented defender, he does not seem reliable and is in the Darren Anderton/Ledley King department when it comes to staying healthy for an extended run of games. Joe Bennett shows promise but is raw, and Justin Hoyte appears to have cemented a first team spot. Leicester – Leicester have excellent depth in the attacking department. They sustained a season ending injury to star striker Matt Fryatt, but have managed to still play well with goals from a number of sources. Young Martyn Waghorn has scored twelve goals leading the line recently. Scotsman Paul Gallagher has scored seven and is a product of the Blackburn Rovers youth academy. Also featuring in the Leicester front line are Everton loan signing James Vaughan, and big Steve Howard. Howard is a physical presence and a true Football League veteran. Leicester often field a three man front line, and will give Boro a real test. Edge – Leicester. The Foxes have a range of attacking options from the presence of Howard to the pace of Vaughan. Midfield Boro – Barry Robson and Rhys Williams have been two leading lights in the season for Boro, both will form the spine of next seasons attempted promotion campaign. Luke Williams and Jonathan Franks are strikers by nature but both seem to feature as wingers going forward. 'L Williams' had an excellent full debut against Coventry. Both produce excellent attacking play but seem raw in terms of defensive play and positional sense. For what its worth, this author would be interested to see either of them line up in a 4-3-3 as a left forward, it may well suit their strengths. Boro fans who have a winger on their summer wish list should already be pleased to see Boro tie up young Scottish prospect Andrew Halliday. Leicester – Richie Wellens, Andy King and Liverpool loan signing Jay Spearing often feature as the three man midfield of the Foxes. Leicester concentrating three men centrally, may be a match-up in their favor, as Boro may not possess the width to punish them, especially if Robson also plays centrally. Andy King has 10 goals from midfield. King is a product of the Leicester City youth academy and an excellent attacking presence, he was the joint Player’s Player of the Year at the recent end of season awards. Richie Wellens began his career with Manchester United, and is a real workhorse. The presence of Wellens makes life difficult for the opposition, as it allows King to join the attack on a frequent basis. A former captain of the Liverpool youth team, Spearing will be hoping to return to the Premier League for his future in the game. Lloyd Dyer is a pacy winger who sometime features in the Leicester midfield. Edge – Leicester. If Leicester play three centrally, it will give them a good match-up against a Boro four. Boro would need to play wide on a regular basis to punish it. With Robson and Williams/O'Neil, Boro’s strength lies in the middle. Boro Attack v Leicester Defence Boro – Scott McDonald is hitting some form ahead of the World Cup. Boro fans may hope he sits on the bench or the Australians exit early, allowing him to rest and return for pre-season in 100% condition. Chris Killen will also be at the World Cup and has played well since signing. He is a tough nut in the air, and has the quality to provide goals and assists. Leroy Lita deserves a mention as the top scorer since the departure of Adam Johnson. Lee Miller started against Coventry but has done little to make an impression since his signing. Jeremie Aliadiere will likely be playing his last game for the club if he features. Leicester – Leicester have been lucky enough to field the same back line in their recent three game winning streak. Jack Hobbs has had an excellent season and recently picked up the Fan’s Player of the Year award, he was also joint winner of the Player’s Player of the Year; Young Michael Morrison was Nigel Pearson’s first signing as Leicester manager, and has featured in 35 games this season, managing to net 3 goals. Swiss international Bruno Berner is an experienced and quality defender who will look to feature at the World Cup in the summer. Experienced centre back Wayne Brown rounds out the Leicester back line. Edge – Even. Killen and McDonald are a quality partnership and seem to gel well together. Fans Boro – Boro fans will be disappointed with the season, but those who make the trip will hope for a good finish, even if only to make their Saturday night a little more enjoyable. Leicester – Leicester fans will be excited about the play-offs and a potential showdown with rivals Nottingham Forest. A strong crowd will likely be in excited mood and make this a difficult game for Boro. Prediction Leicester win. Leicester are a well coached and organised team who have hit a run of form. They will look to keep up their winning streak before doing some damage in the play-off tournament.
Fosse Fox Posted 30 April 2010 Posted 30 April 2010 i dont think NP will rest many, expecting 2-0 win Gally Fryatt and hopefully no injuries, bonus if Cardiffs Burke got injured (but he will be up against Bruno this time, no probs) I take it that you are very young, a little dumb or both. Do you seriously think that NP would risk his shoo-ins for two/three very tricky play off fixtures in what is now virtually a meaningless friendly? Or are Lecicester players somehow mysteriously immune to knackered Achilles tendons, cruciate ligaments and hamstrings? A 50 game season water off a duck's back for our super heroes is it? And airheads like you would be the first to blame/scapegoat a player who, heaven forbid, made a mistake late on that cost us promotion because of TIREDNESS. THINK before you post such garbage. PS Those of you anticipating a sell out against Boro are just as deluded - we'll do well to hit the late 20's. The fairweather fans are saving all their pennies for the last home game of the season - geddit?
davieG Posted 30 April 2010 Posted 30 April 2010 I take it that you are very young, a little dumb or both. Do you seriously think that NP would risk his shoo-ins for two/three very tricky play off fixtures in what is now virtually a meaningless friendly? Or are Lecicester players somehow mysteriously immune to knackered Achilles tendons, cruciate ligaments and hamstrings? A 50 game season water off a duck's back for our super heroes is it? And airheads like you would be the first to blame/scapegoat a player who, heaven forbid, made a mistake late on that cost us promotion because of TIREDNESS. THINK before you post such garbage. PS Those of you anticipating a sell out against Boro are just as deluded - we'll do well to hit the late 20's. The fairweather fans are saving all their pennies for the last home game of the season - geddit? You're right as always Caravan/Chandler
iBleedLeicesterColours Posted 30 April 2010 Posted 30 April 2010 I would definitely rest Waghorn. Powell for a run out, top bloke, seems to love the Leicester fans. I wouldnt risk Wellens and King, probably just play King a bit extra time for Wellens to get over his hamstring wouldn't hurt. I'd play Kermo upfront to see if he can grab a goal and get some confidence incase we need him in the play offs. Also I would get Bruce a full 90 under his belt incase he is needed. Pretty good review from the Boro fan although I think our defence will dominate their forwards. We are better in all departments I feel.
AjcW Posted 30 April 2010 Posted 30 April 2010 2-2 Draw - Morrison getting 2 headers As much as i know you were being sarcastic, he came into the shop today with his leg in one of those plastic support casts(those massive robot looking things ) I didn't even know the lad was injured, slightly worrying.
Edmund Posted 1 May 2010 Posted 1 May 2010 Looks like Boro fans have been editing Pearsons Wiki page. Some random sentence about Pearson linked with Northern Ireland under the Middlesbrough section.
Ozwin Posted 1 May 2010 Posted 1 May 2010 Powell should start and should get a good reception, not just from us but from the Boro fans too. The man's been in football forever and is just a genuine, lovely bloke who loves his football.
The Doctor Posted 1 May 2010 Posted 1 May 2010 4-1 city Fryatt, Kermorgant, Powell & one of the academy players (maybe chamberlain or Shlupp (sp))
Webbo Posted 1 May 2010 Posted 1 May 2010 boring draw. i can see np resting key players. Middlesborough have nothing to play for either, they could well try out some youngsters.
Bluefoxtim Posted 1 May 2010 Posted 1 May 2010 Middlesborough have nothing to play for either, they could well try out some youngsters. It should be a free flowing game then. 7-7.
maddog Posted 2 May 2010 Author Posted 2 May 2010 If we get a penalty, Powell should take it. I'm sure NP wouldn't mind. As long as he scored it
Jordan Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 It sounds like the folks at Foxes Player think this is a 3 pm kick-off
MC Prussian Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 Listening to the match commentary whilst watching the Sheffield Wednesday - Crystal Palace game via stream. Multitasking par excellence.
Leicfox Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 Great goal by Maynard for Bristol City. Thats the game im watching..
MC Prussian Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 KERMORGANT 1-0 City!!! And I had him down as first scorer today. Splendid.
Lillehamring Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 outside the box? top corner? go on yann!!! .....6000 posts, woohoo!
jonw88 Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 1-0 Half Time, great to see Yann get off the mark finally! Hopefully we'll get Fryatt and Powell on at some point in the second half.
Bryn Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 God I wish I could get the friggin commentary to this game, I hate the BBC.
Jordan Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 Penalty to Boro... Wellens handball... SAVE BY LOGAN!!!!!!!!! edit: and after two great saves before that, too!
MC Prussian Posted 2 May 2010 Posted 2 May 2010 When you need a hero, Leicester City come up with at least two. Kermo and Logan - quality.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.