09 May 2026 16:21:54
Very, very fortunate for most of today and then unfortunate towards the end.

Shambolic first half, we were really bad at all the things we do badly.

We are very poor at dealing with teams who play the high press against us and boy did it show today.

Middlesbrough on the other hand were brilliant.

So, slight advantage us but we need to show up from the first minute Tuesday night.

1.) 09 May 2026
09 May 2026 17:12:18
The sign of him being a good manager is that he made those few subtle changes needed that completely changed the game within seconds of the start of halftime.
We took control and dominated the second half, simply by pushing up on
Middlesborough and not allowing their press to work. We also pushed it out wider much quicker.
Middlesbrough looked good in the first half.
We didn't help ourselves with poor marking, giving away the ball too easily in dangerous places.

Tuesday will be interesting

2.) 09 May 2026
09 May 2026 18:25:18
Hi SouthHant Rich, I'm surprised you saw the game that way. I generally agree with your post match views but TBH I thought they battered us first half - they could have been out of sight by half time?

3.) 09 May 2026
09 May 2026 21:09:27
Perhaps my post wasn't clear. Middlesbrough battered us I agree, but it was our own poor decision making, passing and tactics that helped them immensely
When we pushed up on them, played it quicker and wider, that nullified their press.

their manager didn't adjust to our change of tactics.
But yes I agree, we were very lucky and were. Battered first half. We sat too deep and allowed their press

4.) 09 May 2026
09 May 2026 21:24:19
Yea was going to say something Similar Miller.

Not that I'm bashing Tonda but I think the substitutes he made were like for like/same substitutes he always makes.

I think Middlesbourghs game plan was to go full throttle at us for the entire first half, get as much pressure on us and goals as possible before we had time to regroup and assess what was happening.

They did everything spot on and even neutralised our counterattack.

I don't think us coming back into the game in the second half way down to Tonda, rather than Middlesbourgh approach. No team can play with the intensity Bourough did for the first 45 for the entire match, so us have a little comeback was inevitable.

I just think it was Middlesbourgh plan to get the job done in the first 45, 2 or 3 goals, defend they're lead in the second half them come to St Mary's and play for a draw.

The only thing that stopped that was the performance/bravery from us. Which again I don't necessarily think you can plan/approach for that.once the whistle blew it was like when the ring bells in a boxing match. Was just down to the players on the pitch to dig in and credit to them they did.

5.) 10 May 2026
10 May 2026 13:08:32
I thought Larin looked more non league than Premier League, but we can forgive him for that given his output in recent weeks.

I'm worried that Scienza has been found out - shaping to go left and then cutting in on his right.

Azaz has been frustrating - Wembley screamer aside.

Fellows has to drop deep too often to get a touch.

So for me, the momentum has dropped a little. Maybe it's Edozie's time to add some sparkle.

Still not sure why Charles doesn't start.

Theoretically, the starting line up on Tuesday will be what Tonda believes is his best eleven.

I don't do patience very well, so if I were the manager I would be telling the players to start off as if we're 1-0 down with 20 mins to go.

6.) 10 May 2026
10 May 2026 13:53:32
I thought we had a decent and largely successful game plan., was nearly perfect. I feel our players were probably gutted after the match to not have gotten the win and Boro glad they didn't loose.

First half Boro went for the early kill, we sat back defended well and nullified their creativity. We didn't press or chase balls, we kept our shape and zonal defending. Sky's commentary was lording Boro as the best performance of the year during first half but I didn't see any decent moves or chances created.

Tondas tactics were spot on imo and realistically should have e won game at the end. Do people think we should be going to riverside and winning easily in such a high pressure atmosphere and match of importance? We lost 4-0 up there not so long ago. It's a 2 leg affair. It's always about the second match. If we had won the game I'm sure none of you would be complaining of the first half display. It was tough first 45 mins for sure but we stood up to them and did what was required, Defence was brave and foucused. Tondas the man, the players love him and I think I do to x

7.) 10 May 2026
10 May 2026 19:05:27
You must have missed Bree's goal saving block, not to mention the one that came back off the inside of the post.

I agree we were never going to go up there and have a stroll in the park, but with so many of our attack minded players out of salts, we were lucky to get back to St Mary's without serious damage

8.) 10 May 2026
10 May 2026 21:00:15
Yea Ballsy you can't call that first half tactical.

We didn't tactically prevent them, if anything they tactically prevented us (they nullified our counteract)

We dealt with their pressure with good old fashioned grit and luck and that pressure was relentless. I think an extra 5 minutes for that half and even 10% less luck and we're going in half time 2 goals down and that has nothing to do with Tondas tactics, it had everything to do with boroughs game plan

9.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 06:37:16
Yes saint miller great block from Bree and there was plenty of body's doing the same though out first half. We defended well very proud of the lads. They did the job and should be praised for it. Hitting post was from a Larin bad touch and the lad should have scored but was poor finish, was fortunate to find himself in the amount of space and should have punished us.

Don't see any good moves or attacks that opened us up? I'm sure if was a normal leauge match our display would have been completely different. It's 2 part fixture! Tonda knows this and by looks of it so do players. Like I said Boros beat performance of the year ( a top 2 side all season ) and they didn't score or look dangerous imo. Credit to Tonda and the lads

10.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 13:43:22
You definitely didn't watch the same game Ballsy, to the point where there's a real chance of borough doing serious damage tomorrow night.

Its going to be an electric night, but I'd have to edge Borough at the moment, simply because they found a way to get at us.

Sure, different stadium/different environment but the Middlesbourgh players mentality will be if they did it a few days ago they can do it again.

11.) 11 May 2026
11 May 2026 14:23:03
On top off that I'm pretty sure aggregate is in play, so for every goal they score we have to get one more.

With that in mind I can't see why they won't look to carry on where they left off.