Boro this weekend face Barnsley at the Riverside stadium after a 4-0 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Boro hope to get their first league win of the year 2013 after defeats from Leicester, Derby, Watford and Ipswhich.
Middlesbrough still hold the final play-off position with just 4 points between 7th place Burnley who Middlesbrough have a game in hand of. Middlesbrough who got off to a losing start with a 1-0 defeat to Saturdays visitors Barnsley have played well throughout the season to keep their hopes of a automatic promotion or a play-off place.
Boro have played 29, Won 15, Drew 2 and lost 12, many of these losses coming heavily from away fixtures from teams such as: Barnsley, Millwall, Blackpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Welsh champion hopefuls Cardiff.
Despite their poor start the league in the new year Boro have gone on to qualifying for the Fifth round of the FA Cup with Budweiser, beating teams such as non-league team hastings and league 2 relegation battling Aldershot. Boro are due to face either Chelseas/Brentford in the next round of the cup with a third cup home game of the season.
Middlesbrough vs Hastings United Fa Cup 3rd Round
Boro manager Tony Mowbray sitll holds belief by stating after the 4-0 defeat to Ipswich that 'We must dig deep, stay together and realise how tough its going to be. The only way is to turn it around is by getting back down to hard work' (MFC.co.uk, 2013 [Online]).
Lets hope that these inspirational words of Mogga can help Boro to dunk Barnsley in their cup of tea and maintain Boro's place in the play-offs or even clinch automatic 2nd or 1st place promotion. UTB!!!
