Match Day Thread MIDDLESBROUGH v WATFORD

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MIDDLESBROUGH v WATFORD

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Riverside Stadium
Saturday 4th May 2024
Kick Off : 1230 BST

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So here we are at game 46 in a 46 match season. For those who hit the road week after week to support the team, a long journey to the north-east will be another very long day out. The loyalty of those fans is even greater when they have been subjected to so many poor performances. So a big round of applause to those who make this early kick-off.

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Michael Carrick will end this campaign with Middlesbrough having recorded their second successive top-10 finish under his management.
However, Boro can only be frustrated with their 2023-24 campaign, losing in the EFL Cup semi-finals from a winning position and never threatening for promotion.
The last 11 matches have been far more positive. Six wins and four draws have been posted, with their only defeat coming by a 4-3 scoreline at home to Leeds United.
That said, this is a Middlesbrough side that head into the final day of the season sitting six points adrift of the play-offs.
Middlesbrough's home form has been the issue. While they have conceded just 25 times in 22 fixtures at the Riverside Stadium, they have suffered nine defeats.

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Watford, are starting a new era under Tom Cleverley, the decision having been made to hand the former midfielder the reins on a permanent basis.
That call was made even with the Hornets having won just once in his first seven games in the dugout, a total of five draws against top-10 sides working in the ex-England international's favour.
Cleverley's stock rose last weekend as Watford posted a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Vicarage Road, which was incredibly their first league win at home since November.
Although Watford can still finish anywhere between 12th and 16th, avoiding defeat is probably the priority for a team that will want to retain their momentum heading into next season.

Team News

Middlesbrough might well start with the same team that beat Cardiff 4-1 in their last game, as no injury news is available from there.

Some changes will happen with the Hornets.
"Ryan Porteous we’re giving him a bit of protection for the summer ahead [Euros], but he’s also on 14 yellow cards and I don’t want to lose him for the first three games of next season.
Giorgi [Chakvetadze] has had this ongoing groin issue. Again, we know how huge the summer is for him, so we’re not going to risk him.
Emmanuel Dennis picked up a knee issue last weekend, so won’t be fit to travel. Will we see him again in a Watford shirt?
Tom Dele-Bashiru is something we’ve been trying to manage. He’s had a difficult time with injuries, a little bit of burnout and a few niggles. He won’t be in the matchday squad."


Our Officials

JAMES BELL

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Ian Cooper and Robert Hyde
Fourth Official : Ben Toner

Depending on where in the world you are, enjoy your summer or winter.
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I had this marked as an awayday, 12.30ko scuppered that. Not getting up at 4am to get to Watford to get a coach and no pub open (tim gammon martin's gaffs don't see my business) for end of season both eyes on the beach fayre...

 

Sounds like we will play a few youngsters which is good for them.

But yes a nothing game .

 

I would happily have gone up for the weekend. Maybe stayed in Newcastle or somewhere round and about. I've been to Ayresome Park (a 2-1 Watford win (if I recall)) with Wilko and Falconer playing for the Smoggies. Not been to the modern ground though. Maybe next season though awaydays may well be a bit of a rarity given the TV rights making every game a moving target!

 

Yes that will be problematic but apparently all the TV games up till Christmas will be announced as one .

 

Well I can plan around that, but some games will be more irritating than others. That said, all three clubs that come up are welcome in my book insofar as awaydays are concerned. I like to do ten. I managed to get to 8.

 

Team for tomorrow??????

Bachman

Andrews Pollock Sierrralta Hoedt Lewis/Semma

Kayembe Asprilla Kone

Bayo Rajovic

 

Why the silly ko time for all matches what's wrong with 3pm?

 

Always have all the games at the same time on the last day but true why not all at 3.

Something to do with the blackout which means games cannot be shown at 3 live on tv?

 

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Just look at that bench. Is this the future?

 

Will they get a run out ?

Tom did say we would see some younger players .

 

Blast from the past...

 

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I expect Grieves will - with the rest of the team under strict instructions to bloody well pass the ball to him. The others may well just be there for the experience - but I wouldn't mind seeing if Nabizada and Eames both get a decent run out, none of the pointless trotting on in the 90th minute or later.

 

They will need to take their hands out of their pockets first.

 

Andrew French

Just watching our subs warming up as a group - looks like Jake Livermore is running a crèche!!

 

G

Good point .

Probably depend on how the game is going .

 

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One for the stattos . . . highest set of #watfordfc squad numbers on a bench?

 

Just love that bench. I have been waiting a very long time to see a bench like that.