Saints 2-1 (aet) Boro - Match Thread

[Sarnia Cherie]

5 minutes ago, Swaythling Saint said:

Yep, our fitness and squad depth won us the tie, so glad to see we were still going towards the end of ET - jander especially

I was impressed that Scienza kept going as long as he did. He was limping a fair bit after that headbanger Ayling brought him down.

[Secret Site Agent]

6 hours ago, SNSUN said:

I'd like to thank Saints for a great day. I'll remember it forever.

I'd also like the thank the team that run West Quay shopping centre for having a toilet that continuously flushed, so my balls got a good drenching when I was having a shit earlier. Made my nervy tummy that much more exciting. Seriously if you're going to go down the Japanese toilet route, at least let me push a button to activate it.

I feel I've said too much. 

What a great day.

Saints win

We're going to Wembly again

And you get your danglers cleaned.

What's not to love?

[AlexLaw76]

How bad was the ref - for both sides

[benjii]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

How bad was the ref - for both sides

I'd say he got 4 penalty calls wrong. Good going!

[Hawkswood]

8 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

How bad was the ref - for both sides

Yeah totally agree. He seemed to bottle the big decisions. Been reading the boro forum and their fans have legitimate gripes. I do realise theyre feeling emotional after the game but we have plenty of gripes also. Refereeing really wasnt great but I think that was a really tough match to ref without VAR. So much going on inside the boxes.

[Hawkswood]

10 minutes ago, benjii said:

I'd say he got 4 penalty calls wrong. Good going!

Seemed easier for him to just not give anything to anyone

[AlexLaw76]

We are not a club of Son-in-laws now

[Fabrice29]

7 hours ago, trousers said:

The ball boy...?

Yes, the ball boys were academy players again.

[sadoldgit]

Apologies if this has been mentioned already, but the arrival of Ben Garner in January looks to have been another excellent appointment (along with Larin, Peretz and bringing back Bree).

[Dr Who?]

13 hours ago, ChrisPY said:

Nothing of interest. Seemed distracted because he was out for a drink with a girl he’d met yesterday.

Post of the night! 

[beatlesaint]

47 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

How bad was the ref - for both sides

Yeah well he didn’t have VAR to bail him out for major decisions did he?

[Cabrone]

Boro were brilliant in the first 15 and took a deserved lead. Then we gradually pulled ourselves back in and by the end we had passed them to death, they had nothing left in the tank. Difference in squad depth was also a big factor, our subs made an impact whereas theirs didn't really.

When all is said and done Boro going out has nothing to do with spying, they just don't have the firepower to overcome a side like Saints. Leeds got a fine so the precedent has been set, if we are found guilty I'd expect something along those lines.

[Saint NL]

1 minute ago, Cabrone said:

When all is said and done Boro going out has nothing to do with spying, they just don't have the firepower to overcome a side like Saints.

Their fitness coaches need sacking.

Managed 60 mins at most. 

[Sarnia Cherie]

1 minute ago, Cabrone said:

Boro were brilliant in the first 15 and took a deserved lead. Then we gradually pulled ourselves back in and by the end we had passed them to death, they had nothing left in the tank. Difference in squad depth was also a big factor, our subs made an impact whereas theirs didn't really.

When all is said and done Boro going out has nothing to do with spying, they just don't have the firepower to overcome a side like Saints. Leeds got a fine so the precedent has been set, if we are found guilty I'd expect something along those lines.

Let's hope so. I wouldn't want to start the Premier League season (Hull permitting) with points deducted. Then, perhaps we can put the whole sorry mess behind us.

[badgerx16]

5 minutes ago, Sarnia Cherie said:

Let's hope so. I wouldn't want to start the Premier League season (Hull permitting) with points deducted. Then, perhaps we can put the whole sorry mess behind us.

Would the PL enforce an EFL sanction ? 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

Would the PL enforce an EFL sanction ? 

I don't think they can, it's two completely different competetions. Isn't that why it took so long for Leicester to get their deduction?

[Dr Who?]

Again a great read on the match thread while I eat my cornflakes! 

That was a very tense night, but come extra time Boro had nothing to give they were dead on their feet and we just had to make the breakthrough. In the end we fluked it in. 

Bring on Wembley! Oh but what I have read, leave that player of the season Leo at home he sounds terrible! 

[Dr Who?]

3 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Would the PL enforce an EFL sanction ? 

No they would have to wait for the 27/28 season. 😉 Oh IF we go up! 

Edited 11 hours ago by Dr Who?

[Football Special]

49 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We are not a club of Son-in-laws now

Ironically its Roy Keanes son in law thats helping us instill this winning mentality 

[Osvaldorama]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We are not a club of Son-in-laws now

Good!! About time we started acting like a club that wants to win. 
 

I do not give a single fuck if no one likes us 

[Saint Pete]

23 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I don't think they can, it's two completely different competetions. Isn't that why it took so long for Leicester to get their deduction?

I think I read somewhere that EFL could recommend a points deduction to apply for the Prem next season (if we get there) but it would be the Prem's decision on whether to apply it? 

[Saint Pete]

1 hour ago, Hawkswood said:

Seemed easier for him to just not give anything to anyone

I got that impression he wasn't gonna give one to either side unless it was a full on assault in the box! In fairness, I'm glad the game wasn't decided by a debatable penalty. 

[Hatch]

We should buy Hayden Hackney from them just to piss turn off that little bit more 

[Saint_clark]

12 minutes ago, Hatch said:

We should buy Hayden Hackney from them just to piss turn off that little bit more 

And Dael Fry. 

[austsaint]

4 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Charles was good from the second half onwards, but let's not forget how shit he was in the first half - more propaganda football. Shit marking, shit tackling, poor passing and didn't close his man down at all for the Middlesbrough goal. There were many better performances than Charles last night and a cross that accidentally went in shouldn't paper over those cracks.

Agree re Manning he was immense alongside the rest of the back four. Azaz was very good and Stewart provided the outlet that Larin couldn't give in the previous game.

For me Jander was unbelievable - tried to hold the midfield by himself in the first half and absolutely bossed it for the rest of the game - couldn't have won the ball more times...

It's a great thing we can  see player's performances differently.    I thought Charles was very good all night; Jander, as you say was outstanding - we have to beat Hull in the final to keep him; same applies with Charles, THB and Scienza.   You thought Azaz was very good; I thought he was fairly anonymous in both play off games, lets hope he plays well in the final.

[Patrick Bateman]

Just now, austsaint said:

It's a great thing we can  see player's performances differently.    I thought Charles was very good all night; Jander, as you say was outstanding - we have to beat Hull in the final to keep him; same applies with Charles, THB and Scienza.   You thought Azaz was very good; I thought he was fairly anonymous in both play off games, lets hope he plays well in the final.

I think with Azaz, it seemed that Middlesbrough knew just how to keep him quiet. I think he probably is also someone who doesn't react well to booing, some people don't - I'm reading Neil Warnock's management book right now and he talks about a couple of players like that, great read btw. But regardless, I think they knew how to keep him quieter. 

[Osvaldorama]

Their fans have absolutely lost their heads. 
 

Hilarious 😂.  Twitter is so funny 

[rallyboy]

Dear Middlesbrough,

stop moaning and making up shit. You didn't lose because of a man in the bushes, or because you chose or agreed to arrive at the ground right in the middle of a fire you'd been stoking all week, or because someone might have said hurty words, or because a ballboy had to explain the multi-ball system to you.

You lost because your players aren't fit enough.

It's your fault, no one else's, move on and learn from it.

 

[mikec]

9 hours ago, CB Fry said:

Absolute agony for most of the night but we deserved to win the tie across the two matches. Boro had a half and then half a half, we really were on top when it mattered. But Boro were very good and evenly matched as it should be as there was only a goal between us across the whole season.

Having been to both matches I would say that finishing fourth and having the Riverside match on Saturday lunchtime and tonight at home - that was absolutely critical for us winning. There was an intensity to the Boro fans which would have told for them and against us if the matches were the other way round.

 

Absolutely.  I think winning that last day match against Preston was more significant than it seemed beforehand.

[benjii]

 

1 hour ago, Hatch said:

We should buy Hayden Hackney from them just to piss turn off that little bit more 

 

1 hour ago, Saint_clark said:

And Dael Fry. 

Let's try to get this going on Twitter for the lolz.

[Dman]

Did Scienza get injured?

[tdmickey3]

7 minutes ago, Dman said:

Did Scienza get injured?

Well, Analing tried to main him and he limped through the game until he came of in 2nd half

Edited 8 hours ago by tdmickey3

[Thripp87]

Second half and extra time we dominated and won all the 50/50s and second balls. We also looked fitter which is impressive considering the schedule we have had.

Stewart I thought lead the line superbly and set the tone. Bellis and Jander also class.

Great night and 1 more to go.

[chownie20]

The notion that somehow Boro should profit from any punishment dished out to Saints seems flawed.  If anything, they should go back and play another semi final against Wrexham, OR Hull should get a free pass in the final.  Boro had their chance and lost.

[Saint NL]

Hasn't the playoff been expanded to 6 teams for next season?

So if we don't go up, it could be a repeat. Surely Saints and Boro would be looking at finishing top 8 as a minimum

[skintsaint]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

 

 

Let's try to get this going on Twitter for the lolz.

Aiden Morris too, wouldnt mind signing him.

[Sunnyside Saint]

13 hours ago, egg said:

Job done. Nice. 

Will be an interesting few days though: spygate outcome, and a suggestion on talksport that the ref will be reporting THB for his comment to Ayling. 

We dont want him getting any kind of ban, he has become a really important part of this team.

[sfc4prem]

5 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

They did - wife mentioned hearing the singing etc.

Spine-tingling 

[Monk]

Firstly, an apology to Old Nick. I was there last night and wasn't exactly in top voice outside of the goals being scored so me battering the away support on Saturday was hypercritical. Felt like there was a very nervous energy for obvious reasons, a lot more to the WBA time out. 

One thing I have learned is the absolute distain I have for the fan base of Boro who have the ultimate victim complex. I'm all for them feeling like 'spygate' isn't sporting behaviour and is a breach of an EFL law but to actually blame them not progressing on the scenario is wild. Understood their game management/shit house attempts, in particularly led By Fael, Ayling and Morris which was very enjoyable that it appeared to backfire. Referee and the lino in the Itchen end (1st half) were appalling - yet again Boro feel they had less rub of the green (shock).  I have my own controversial opinion on the THB/Ayling alleged incident but I won't share that here. Yet, I do expect the EFL to make an example of THB regardless of the evidence and primarily because what was happening elsewhere. 

Ball boy was interesting, clearly two/three U18 players hooked in for this, enjoyed them playing up to it. Ultimately, EFL guidance is the players must use the nearest ball either in play or on the cone. What was happening last night, is the Boro players kept wanting the ball on the cone assuming it was dry to improve grip for the long throw. Club might get a slap on the wrist as the ball team can't restrict the players from taking the ball. Quick win here would've been to have them spray their drink on the ball on the cone. 

As for Spygate, some interesting learnings and will be fascinated to see if the other clubs I've been told of participating in similar conduct are outed for what sounds like common practice. Ultimately, sounds like we just got 'caught' filming with an iPhone at a public gate - none of this surveillance nonsense. Can't imagine there would be much uproar if England win the World Cup having found out some information on the Argies before the final. Don't get me wrong if we've broken into the training ground, yeah fair enough throw the book at us - filming from a public space - tough luck. 

Ultimately, I'm all for us being the pantomime villain and hope we fully embrace it given the battering we've been taking from the media and some rather odd fan bases (especially Coventry City - half of which hadn't stepped foot in the Ricoh Arena before big Frank took over). 

 

Finally, Casper Jander take a bow. 

Edited 6 hours ago by Monk

[BERMUDASAINT]

 Boro will have nightmares over Shea's goals, both match winners and both out of this world shots into the corners of the goal!!

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Monk said:

Firstly, an apology to Old Nick. I was there last night and wasn't exactly in top voice outside of the goals being scored so me battering the away support on Saturday was hypercritical. Felt like there was a very nervous energy for obvious reasons, a lot more to the WBA time out. 

One thing I have learned is the absolute distain I have for the fan base of Boro who have the ultimate victim complex. I'm all for them feeling like 'spygate' isn't sporting behaviour and is a breach of an EFL law but to actually blame them not progressing on the scenario is wild. Understood their game management/shit house attempts, in particularly led By Fael, Ayling and Morris which was very enjoyable that it appeared to backfire. Referee and the lino in the Itchen end (1st half) were appalling - yet again Boro feel they had less rub of the green (shock).  I have my own controversial opinion on the THB/Ayling alleged incident but I won't share that here. Yet, I do expect the EFL to make an example of THB regardless of the evidence and primarily because what was happening elsewhere. 

Ball boy was interesting, clearly two/three U18 players hooked in for this, enjoyed them playing up to it. Ultimately, EFL guidance is the players must use the nearest ball either in play or on the cone. What was happening last night, is the Boro players kept wanting the ball on the cone assuming it was dry to improve grip for the long throw. Club might get a slap on the wrist as the ball team can't restrict the players from taking the ball. Quick win here would've been to have them spray their drink on the ball on the cone. 

As for Spygate, some interesting learnings and will be fascinated to see if the other clubs I've been told of participating in similar conduct are outed for what sounds like common practice. Ultimately, sounds like we just got 'caught' filming with an iPhone at a public gate - none of this surveillance nonsense. Can't imagine there would be much uproar if England win the World Cup having found out some information on the Argies before the final. Don't get me wrong if we've broken into the training ground, yeah fair enough throw the book at us - filming from a public space - tough luck. 

Ultimately, I'm all for us being the pantomime villain and hope we fully embrace it given the battering we've been taking from the media and some rather odd fan bases (especially Coventry City - half of which hadn't stepped foot in the Ricoh Arena before big Frank took over). 

 

Finally, Casper Jander take a bow. 

No need to apologise ,you made me smile when you posted you retort on the day about screaming at me not the TV lol.

The ballboy has a bit about him it seems, earlier he didnt throw the ball to them but held it for them to come and get it lol. He was a pupil at a school near Romsey and so is only 16ish. 

I am always sensitive to people calling out Saints away support, I cant be arsed to travel 5 hours to go to a game and so admire those that do. Also my daughter and granddaugher were there  and they shout and sing their hearts out. Proper fans.

Always like your posts anyway, keep going

[Mboto Gorge]

Anyone still think that having the second leg at home made no difference to the way that tie went? Good job the players went for it at Preston and got 4th. 

[LoyalSaintSO50]

Great night, atmosphere and massive result, particularly in the circumstances. Beautiful to stick it those bizarre hysterical northern nutjobs and slugs like Deeney, Austin, Huckabee etc (not the best three for lectures on morals) 

From where we’ve come from this season to be back at Wembley is incredible by Tonda and this group of players…. one more… siege mentality. Up the Saints 

[StrangelyBrown]

9 hours ago, austsaint said:

It's a great thing we can  see player's performances differently.    I thought Charles was very good all night; Jander, as you say was outstanding - we have to beat Hull in the final to keep him; same applies with Charles, THB and Scienza.   You thought Azaz was very good; I thought he was fairly anonymous in both play off games, lets hope he plays well in the final.

Couldn't agree more re it's good that we see things differently!

I like Charles when he plays further forward, just think he's poor defensively (which is weird when the opposite was true under Still). Having watched back the highlights tonight I stand by my comments about him marking poorly - he's got a nasty habit of leaving too much space in dangerous areas.

As for Azaz I can see why people think he's a bit anonymous, but the clever stuff he does with the ball makes up for it for me - we don't have anyone else who can spot some of the passes he makes/attempts and he's one that I think will get better if we go up and buy some better players to fit around him. Let's hope for another goal like the one he scored against city!

[Saint86]

13 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Got to think as we have done play off win before and also been at wembley this year should settle our players down nicely for the game.

Also we've played 11 games in the last 38 days (every 3.5 days) so think the recovery from this period now will be crucial and our players will benefit from the break without the big game anxiety leading up to the final.

Agree with those points. But i wouldn't underestimate Hull. They are the silent assassins of these playoffs. Whilst the shit storm was going on with us an boro, they quite comfortably despatched Millwall, despite only just making the playoffs at the very end of the season. They're a very good counter attacking side and it will be tough.