From fearing the twists and turns of the Championship, Boro would now welcome one or two more from now until the end of the season.
I'm sure it won't disappoint. After all, top spot has changed hands 23 times so far already in this crazy - even by Championship standards - campaign.
Like every side challenging for promotion, Boro have had their chance to tighten a grip on top spot.
But, like every side, they've let it slip.
Now, with just five games of the season to play, Boro find themselves in need of favours elsewhere in the hope Bournemouth and Watford slip up.
Boro need to leapfrog in-form Norwich as well, although instead of relying on results elsewhere they'll have the opportunity to do that when they visit Carrow Road for a testing Friday night fixture next week.
Spotting the slip-ups is no simple task in the most unpredictable of divisions, but here are the fixtures facing the top six and the crucial stand-out games that could determine their finishing position:
Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe
Remaining fixtures: Brighton (a), Reading (a), Sheffield Wednesday (h), Bolton (h), Charlton (a).
There's no getting away from the fact that Bournemouth have got a 'gentle' run-in but will they be able to string five wins together to finish the campaign?
They picked up 15 points out of 15 during a stunning December so they're certainly capable of doing exactly that.
With Reading dreaming of their big day out at Wembley, you'd fancy the Cherries to do a job there but Brighton next time out is a testing-looking trip with the Seagulls still in need of points.
Charlton isn't the easiest place to go on the final day either.
Verdict: Two potential banana skins in what is an otherwise inviting run-in.
Norwich
Norwich City manager Alex Neil
Remaining fixtures: Bolton (a), Leeds (a), Boro (h), Rotherham (a), Fulham (h).
They may well only have to play one team from the top half of the Championship but Norwich's run-in is no stroll in the park.
Bolton will be buoyed by their win at Cardiff yesterday while Leeds are always capable of pulling a result from nowhere - although the off the pitch activity over the past week won't help.
That game against Boro looks like it could well be the decider but Rotherham and Fulham could be still scrapping for their lives in the last fortnight of the season. That said, Norwich should have enough to finish with six points.
Verdict: Not as easy as it appears at first glance, there's a narrative in Norwich's last three games and the next two are tough.
Watford
Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic
Remaining fixtures: Millwall (a), Nottingham Forest (a), Birmingham (h), Brighton (a), Sheffield Wednesday (h).
Happy at home, trip-ups on the road. You'd fancy Watford to get maximum points from their remaining two games at Vicarage Road but they will have to hurdle a couple of tricky obstacles on their travels.
Nottingham Forest can beat anyone on their day and the visit to the City Ground is undoubtedly Watford's biggest test.
Slavisa Jokanovic will play it down at hope of easing pressure but he'll be delighted with the run-in facing the Hornets.
Verdict: Boro will be hoping Dougie Freedman pulls another result out of the bag for Forest. Millwall are at that desperate stage of needing results, Brighton will be tough.
Boro
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka (front) and Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic
Remaining fixtures: Rotherham (h), Wolves (h), Norwich (a), Fulham (a), Brighton (h).
Nine points required at home and a win at Fulham. Anything less and, in all likelihood, Boro's season will continue throughout May.
And then there's that trip to Norwich. It's a testing flurry of fixtures facing Boro but form at the Riverside suggests they're capable of stringing together two wins at home to bounce back from the deflating defeat at Watford.
Six points out of six on Saturday and Tuesday and there's every chance Boro will be back in the top two.
Verdict: No room for error. Defeats at Bournemouth and Watford have put pressure on Boro but the top two is by no means beyond them. A repeat of the Derby display at Norwich - a team who Boro dismantled earlier in the season - would put them in pole position.
Derby
Steve McClaren
Remaining fixtures: Brentford (h), Blackpool (h), Huddersfield (a), Millwall (a), Reading (h).
The Rams stopped the rot at Wigan but have they left themselves too much to do?
Steve McClaren will know his side have to win all five of their remaining fixtures if they're to somehow force their way back into the top two.
But with Chris Martin back in action and back among the goals, McClaren will look at the remaining fixtures with confidence as Derby look to at least secure a play-off spot.
Saturday's game against Brentford is huge for both sides and Blackpool is a gimme; the boss, squad and fans will look at the remaining fixtures with an air of regret that they've lost touch with the top four.
Verdict: Too little too late for the top two, regardless of how kind the run-in is. The Rams could well build momentum though and will be a force in the play-offs.
Wolves
Wolves manager Kenny Jackett
Remaining fixtures: Birmingham (a), Boro (a), Ipswich (h), Wigan (a), Millwall (h).
After four wins on the bounce, can Wolves do the unthinkable and gatecrash the promotion party?
Like Derby, Kenny Jackett's side have probably given themselves just too much to do. Four points in five games is a big gap to bridge and Wolves don't have the easiest of run-ins.
Wigan and Millwall could well be down by the time the last fortnight of the season comes around so it's the next three games that will determine whether Wolves finish a superb season in the top six.
Verdict: Anything can happen in a derby game, as we're often reminded, so Birmingham away could throw up a surprise. The trip to Boro and the home game against Ipswich will really put their play-off credentials to the test.
No comments:
Post a Comment