Stalemate Leaves Boro Waiting For The Playoffs

Middlesbrough    0        Brighton    0

 

If things had gone differently, this could have been the afternoon which reignited spirits on Teesside and ended Middlesbrough’s 6 year wait for Premier League football. it could have been the game which sparked jubilant scenes at a packed out Riverside and begun celebrations which would last long into the early hours of the morning. But that day will have to wait.     

Kike in action against Brighton

Boro fans knew prior to kick-off that this wasn’t going to be the anticipated promotion party which many have dreamt of in the past few months, that scenario vanished last weekend after an away defeat to Fulham. Even so a dreary goalless draw at home to Brighton wasn’t what they had in mind.

Boro fans now have a new date to place in their diaries, May 25^th the play-off final at Wembley, although that could still be a long way off. First Aitor Karanka’s side will have to take care of a two legged semi-final against one of the leagues surprise packages Brentford who snuck into fifth place on a dramatic final day of the football league. 

Dramatic at most grounds. Not at the Riverside where Boro’s stalemate saw them slip behind Norwich who acquired third place with a victory over Fulham and will now take on close rivals Ipswich who ended up sixth despite losing away at Blackburn. The first leg ties will take place next weekend with Boro making the trip to West London for a Friday night kick-off.

It took the final result and permutations at the full time whistle to remind Boro fans that they had indeed reached the play-offs; it was a comforting reminder because there was little to shout about after this performance.

Karanka’s side were poor and didn’t show the sort of form which has seen them challenge at the top for the majority of the season. Some may point to the fact that top scorer Patrick Bamford was rested and not risked due to a niggling ankle injury. Player of the season George Friend, who received his reward before kick-off, was also suspended, but this is no time for excuses and other players need to step up especially with promotion still hanging on the line.

Scenes before kick-off were considerably more promising as over 33,000 fans, a sell out for only the second time at the Riverside this season, set the tone for a thriving atmosphere. However the action on the pitch did little to sustain it.

"We were expecting an amazing game with the fans behind us. We have another game at home to thank our fans for this season. We have to prepare as well as we can,” said Karanka after the game "It's been an amazing season and we can't forget now we have to prepare well and be more together than ever to go into the play-offs in a positive way. Promotion is in our hands."  

From the outside it appeared the Boro manager had set up a little negative considering his side were playing a Brighton team who had scored just 44 goals all season. 

Central midfielders Grant Leadbitter, Adam Clayton and Adam Forshaw all started while Kike was recalled upfront in place of Jelle Vossen who dropped to the bench. At the back Dwight Tiendalli replaced Ryan Fredericks and Fernando Amorebieta came in at left-back for Friend who was serving a one-match suspension.

It proved anti-climactic afternoon for what has been an overall gripping campaign. Brighton had a decent shape about them but had no persistent threat going forward, was it really any wonder when their top, scorer Lewis Dunk with 7 goals, plays as a centre back.   

Visiting manager Chris Hughton made three changes from the Brighton team which lost 2-0 at home to Watford last weekend Christian Walton replaced David Stockdale in goal, elsewhere Rohan Ince and Kazenga Lua Lua started instead of Bruno Saltor and Mustapha Carayol, who took up a place on the Boro bench after his loan spell expired.

The strong support produced an energetic atmosphere; however that was as good as it got in a dreary first half. Brighton were the first to threaten when a third minute corner caused problems inside the Boro penalty area before it was eventually scrambled to safety. After that the visitors enjoyed some decent possession without threatening the Boro goal.

On 18 minutes Albert Adomah tested Walton when he cut in from the left but his low shot was saved, minutes later the Ghanaian winger linked up well with Tiendalli on the right but Adomah’s eventual shot was deflected wide.

The only other chance of note in the opening 45 minutes came when Amorebieta acquired possession in an attacking area and caught Brighton on their heels, with space to run into he charged towards goal before electing to square the ball back to Kike, however the Spanish striker’s touch was well off  and the chance went begging.

Boro’s urgency went up a gear after the restart; Tomlin teed up Forshaw on the edge of the box however his shot was straight at Walton and the deadlock quickly reapplied itself.  A better chance fell Brighton’s way on 69 minutes when Greg Halford’s cross was turned over the bar by Chris   O'Grady.

The introduction of Vossen and Emilo Nsue added some extra bite in the Boro attack. It was Nsue’s cross ten minutes from time which picked out Kike however the striker’s effort was saved by the foot of Walton.

This was an afternoon which promised so much but delivered so little. Boro’s day could still come at Wembley in three weeks’ time; on the other hand it could just be another case of what could have been.     

Player Ratings

Dimi Konstantopulos   6- Was a spectator for most of the game

Dwight Tiendalli   5.5- Still looked like he was getting accustomed to his new team mates

Ben Gibosn   6.5- Swept up most danger

Daniel Ayala   6.5- Comfortable afternoon at the back

Fernando Amorebieta   5.5- Looked unfamiliar at left back and got sucked out of position at times

Adam Clayton   6- Provided security in front of the back four

Grant Leadbitter   6- Couldn’t influence the game and often found himself in deep positions

Albert Adomah   6- Got into some good positions but delivery was poor

Lee Tomlin   6- Floated around but rarely threatened the opposition goal

Adam Forshaw   6- Struggled to link up play in position behind the striker

Kike   5.5- Couldn’t hold the ball up with any great effect

Subs

Emilo Nsue   6- Added an outlet from right back

Jelle Vossen   6- Wanted to get on the ball and try to affect the game

Adam Reach- Came on for the last 15 minutes can’t give a fair rating

My Boro Man Of The Match: Ben Gibson