Patches O Houlihan

To be fair a lot of those WBA players were subbed looking wrecked, or carrying a slight injury; a definite bonus for the Russball playing style in hot conditions. You'd fancy our players to be in better physical shape on Friday in comparison. Adams then Stewart, or Stewart then Adams up front in the return leg for me. Depends on Che's fitness, but Stewart looked fit, found some good positions and his shot was powerful, kept low and was on target - unusual traits for Saints strikers of recent years.

Pre-match lights show and freebie red & white foam hands ought to provide the cherry on the top for intimidation factor. COYR

Because we lost Stu Armstrong. You want your best players on the pitch. RM would rather have the aggression and leadership of Stephens at the back freeing up KWP and Manning to roam forwards, rather than ask Brooks or Rothwell to play Stu's role and make a Horlicks of it...

‘Player & manager in disagreeing about fitness shocker’ 😉

Ours got 87 and there were boos after Stoke. We hate the entitlement attitude of big six fans and yet we’ve seen plenty of it recently. We need to respect West Brom and not assume we’ll be playing the final against Leeds That said I hope we give them a right humping with the Loch Ness Drogba scoring a hatful and one going in off Sulemana’s arse! COYS

Whoever we meet in the playoff first leg might also be wondering which formation we would play...

So do we think he will play 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 ? Would be odd to pick 4 wingers on the bench if that was the plan. So can we expect Jack to play on the opposite wing to Arma?

RM at the Leeds press conference announced that Ross was pissed off he wasn't in the squad last weekend, and will be on the bench for today's game. Could be a great lift for the team today if he plays 35 mins and scores. (maybe not Che or Arma though!)

I’m not sure about the wider strategy, but I think THB has been canny: > CB is a position renowned for teams preferring experience. > Big PL teams want ball playing centre backs who can defend against breakaways. > You don’t get that experience as a young player at a bottom half side in the PL, and unless you are exceptional won’t get it in a top half PL side. Winning promotion with Burnley as a ball playing CB was ideal experience. Repeating that experience again this season rather than staying with Burnley will have been good for his long term career. Perhaps there is a chance he might stay even if we don’t go up - depends how loud the clamour for him is from mid table PL teams. I think Baz will ultimately do fine out of signing for us in the same way - it will maximise his opportunity to develop his talent. Whether that talent has a high enough ceiling is another matter. I don’t think Lavia, Livramento or Sam Edozie have harmed their careers by signing for us. Whilst Charly Alcaraz hasn’t astounded on the pitch for us, he did get an opportunity at Juve - that he didn’t take it is down to him (or his talent level) Ballard is on loan. Dibling & Megahoma are at least back on the bench. SAA did get a go earlier in the season but he is still very young. I would like to see him on the bench though for some games.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hsp54w Jack is going to be really important for the team this week

Say what you like about Jack. But he's a stand up guy.

I agree tonight we don't have one. But a week ago Baz would have been playing 10m further forward, Flynn would be bossing it and passing to Stu who was making himself available instead of hiding like Rothwell.

Nothing to do with the spine of the team being ripped out over the last few games. All Russ's fault definitely 😉

3-4. Boro in behind again, and Leeds have taken all their attacking talent off

Leeds have played a backs against the wall defence for the second half. They were able to score a 4th on almost their only break, but Middlesborough keep getting in behind them. Fraser, Smallbone, Arma & Adams have all been successful with similar moves this season. Can't see us keeping a clean sheet against Leeds though.

Leeds under pressure. More goals in this one. HT

2-3 Leeds - should have been offside

2-2

We have a 100% record against Leeds this season. Don't know why you are so certain

1-2 Leeds

Middleborough properly fired up for this - great game so far

Leeds one down after 7 mins

Middleborough are one up after 7 mins

So normally you should give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking team...

If I recall correctly he was promoted twice as a player; once through autos and once in the playoffs. That might help. But he would need to recognise the importance of a suitably robust midfield even during the last 25 mins of a match.