... and Brighton keep on grinding out the results.

[Sussex Nomad]

Apologies if this is fixtures but I have read that piece on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36131350

Now, I am not trying to be a precious Brighton fan here, I happen to like articles like this. But how can this Paul Addison (BBC Tees) get that so completely wrong? I know there is wishful thinking on all sides but that beggars belief.

Both Boro and Burnley have had last minute, even last kick reprieves in recent games whilst we've done pretty ok with 5-0, 4-0 and 1-3 results.

Seriously Mr Addison, that is hardly 'grinding'.

For those unable to view;

View from the commentary box - Paul Addison, BBC Tees:
"Middlesbrough never make it easy for themselves - it's just not part of the deal.
"Boro remain in a terrific position as the race for the Premier League goes down to the wire, but Burnley and Brighton keep on grinding out the results.
"Last season's play-off heartache is fresh in the minds of the Boro faithful, and a lot of fans I've spoken to fear a repeat of it if they miss out on a place in the top two.
"But the fact remains that if they win their last two they're up - and that's got to be the aim."

 

[sir albion]

Apologies if this is fixtures but I have read that piece on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36131350

Now, I am not trying to be a precious Brighton fan here, I happen to like articles like this. But how can this Paul Addison (BBC Tees) get that so completely wrong? I know there is wishful thinking on all sides but that beggars belief.

Both Boro and Burnley have had last minute, even last kick reprieves in recent games whilst we've done pretty ok with 5-0, 4-0 and 1-3 results.

Seriously Mr Addison, that is hardly 'grinding'.

For those unable to view;

View from the commentary box - Paul Addison, BBC Tees:
"Middlesbrough never make it easy for themselves - it's just not part of the deal.
"Boro remain in a terrific position as the race for the Premier League goes down to the wire, but Burnley and Brighton keep on grinding out the results.
"Last season's play-off heartache is fresh in the minds of the Boro faithful, and a lot of fans I've spoken to fear a repeat of it if they miss out on a place in the top two.
"But the fact remains that if they win their last two they're up - and that's got to be the aim."

What a plonker and clearly doesn't look at the results as Boro and Burnley have been scraping the barrel at a good effect.

 

[Icy Gull]

Apologies if this is fixtures but I have read that piece on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36131350

Now, I am not trying to be a precious Brighton fan here, I happen to like articles like this. But how can this Paul Addison (BBC Tees) get that so completely wrong? I know there is wishful thinking on all sides but that beggars belief.

Both Boro and Burnley have had last minute, even last kick reprieves in recent games whilst we've done pretty ok with 5-0, 4-0 and 1-3 results.

Seriously Mr Addison, that is hardly 'grinding'.

For those unable to view;

View from the commentary box - Paul Addison, BBC Tees:
"Middlesbrough never make it easy for themselves - it's just not part of the deal.
"Boro remain in a terrific position as the race for the Premier League goes down to the wire, but Burnley and Brighton keep on grinding out the results.
"Last season's play-off heartache is fresh in the minds of the Boro faithful, and a lot of fans I've spoken to fear a repeat of it if they miss out on a place in the top two.
"But the fact remains that if they win their last two they're up - and that's got to be the aim."

Has it dawned on him that the last sentence applies to all three teams?

 

[Triggaaar]

Hopefully we grind out two more.

 

[gripper stebson]

I enjoyed Paul Ince's insights on Sky today.

Boro are gonna do it because they are not playing well and getting last minute goals not like Brighton who are winning 4 and 5's?

He may of course be right but what a plumb.

 

[The Wizard]

If you're talking about the last 3 games then no, obviously... But in general over the course of the season I'd say that is pretty true. How many games we've won by 1 goal says it all!

 

[Icy Gull]

Talking about playoff heartbreak, has any team EVER suffered a heartbreak as big as ours against Palace

 

[Philzo-93]

Good keeps us under the radar and he will join Chesterfield fans, Bristol City fans and Nigel Adkins for a slice of humble pie!

 

[Icy Gull]

Good keeps us under the radar and he will join Chesterfield fans, Bristol City fans and Nigel Adkins for a slice of humble pie!

You forgot Pardew at Reading

 

[Philzo-93]

You forgot Pardew at Reading

Ahh knew I forgot someone!

 

[Easy 10]

I don't see "grinding out the results" as being in any way disparaging. It doesn't necessarily mean we're scraping wins, more that we have been remorselessly consistent and just won't go away. We keep winning, which is as annoying to them as it is to us when they chisel out another 3 points.

 

[Black Rod]

Talking about playoff heartbreak, has any team EVER suffered a heartbreak as big as ours against Palace

Ipswich v Norwich was only last year...

 

[Sussex Nomad]

If you're talking about the last 3 games then no, obviously... But in general over the course of the season I'd say that is pretty true. How many games we've won by 1 goal says it all!

He hasn't made that clear and I guessed someone would use that (valid) argument, but I wouldn't suggest for one moment that Burnley have been grinding all season, hence I assumed he meant over the recent period, where he has quite blatantly missed out Boro's scrapes.

 

[el punal]

In truth, it doesn't matter how many last minute goals have been scored, how many results have been ground out, or how many 4-0 thrashings have been dealt out. What matters now is there is a mini - league of two games involving three teams.

The whole season comes down to the next 180 minutes of football. It's basically the play-offs before the play-offs. Frightening, isn't it!

 

[Sussex Nomad]

I don't see "grinding out the results" as being in any way disparaging. It doesn't necessarily mean we're scraping wins, more that we have been remorselessly consistent and just won't go away. We keep winning, which is as annoying to them as it is to us when they chisel out another 3 points.

I guess it's open to interpretation.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

In truth, it doesn't matter how many last minute goals have been scored, how many results have been ground out, or how many 4-0 thrashings have been dealt out. What matters now is there is a mini - league of two games involving three teams.

The whole season comes down to the next 180 minutes of football. It's basically the play-offs before the play-offs. Frightening, isn't it!

Five games. But yes, agreed.

 

[DataPoint]

Days top of the Table - 8 Aug - 28 April

Brighton .... 85 (32%)
Hull ........... 55 (21%)
Boro ......... 53 (21%)
Burnley .... 51 (19%)
Ipswich .... 11 (4%)
MK Dons ... 7 (3%)
Derby ........ 3 (1%)
Total ....... 265

 

[el punal]

Five games. But yes, agreed.

My optimism may have been coming through with the two game scenario. If it's down to the play-offs I'll have to stay in a darkened room until the end of May.

 

[TSB]

Talking about playoff heartbreak, has any team EVER suffered a heartbreak as big as ours against Palace

Sunderland vs Charlton.

 

[Triggaaar]

If you're talking about the last 3 games then no, obviously... But in general over the course of the season I'd say that is pretty true. How many games we've won by 1 goal says it all!

Despite our unbeaten run, we might have been the last team in the division to win a game by more than one goal. Despite the single goal victories though, many of those games were comfortable victories that we should have won by more. I don't think we've particularly ground out results, although it is fair to say that Middlesbrough won plenty quite easily earlier in the season.