FA Cup Scout Notes
A far from classic encounter saw Alves get a full debut as Boro progressed to the last eight of the FA Cup. Here’s my notes last night’s err…action.
Middlesbrough 1 Sheff United 0
Another dour game for the BBC cameras with a cruel own goal by Paddy Kenny the deciding factor that saw Boro through to the Quarters.
Southgate’s team selection was hit by suspension with both Wheater and Aliadiere serving one and four match bans respectively. Huth failed a fitness test on his foot injury so Hinds came in to partner Pogatetz in the centre of defence with Grounds remaining at left-back. In midfield O’Neil was struggling with a knock so was benched with Boateng starting in his place. Up front, Alves got his first start alongside Mido with Tuncay starting on the bench. Cattermole was back from a knee injury and was alongside him.
Perhaps the most significant point to take from this game is the start for Alves. He looked fairly sharp and, along with Downing, was the chief threat to Sheff United on the night. Alves played 73-minutes here before being replaced by Tuncay. It seems reasonable to expect Alves to start at home to Reading this weekend and his first goal for Boro doesn’t appear to be far away on the evidence of last night’s efforts.
Wheater will return to the lineup this weekend and Huth is also a possibility. Young is suspended and it’s not yet clear who Southgate will draft in to fill the right-back position.
The other point of interest from Boro’s progress is that it means that their Premiership game with Villa, scheduled for March 8, is now postponed but has moved to midweek on March 12. That has little impact on fantasy managers other than giving injured players more time to get over knocks sustained this weekend.
X-Ray Dog
Akers
Mark
I'm not Marshal Foch
llama
Mark (or anyone), can you recommend a good defender in the FPL game for £5.4m or below? (Already have 3 everton and wheater) need the spare cash for torres this weekend.
was thinking woodgate or hutton as spurs have looked a much much better defensively recently, likeliness of bonus points (esp woodgate) and the upcoming double gameweek. Or is there any team who are particualrly good at home defensively as I can use him as a ’supersub’ given ive a decent starting 11
cheers - again top work with the site, loving the changes. (consistently disproving the theory ‘if it aint broke dont fix it’)
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This was a great game but I don’t think the odds on offer were good enough. I used an odds comparison website and the best i could find on ‘boro winning were 2/1. That just wasn’t good enough for the free bet.
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