Form going into Playoffs

[MBBoro]

Although it is of course a clean slate for all teams, form and league position are irrelevant in the grand scheme, should we be worried we have been in the worst form of the 4 teams for some time now?

5​	Luton Town	10​	5​	5​	0​	13​	5​	+8​	20​
6​	Sunderland	10​	4​	5​	1​	17​	12​	+5​	17​
7​	Coventry City	10​	4​	5​	1​	16​	11​	+5​	17​
8​	Wigan Athletic	10​	3​	4​	3​	7​	8​	-1​	13​
9​	Preston	10​	4​	1​	5​	13​	21​	-8​	13​
10​	Middlesbrough	10​	3​	3​	4​	20​	15​	+5​	12​

Crazy really that Luton are the team that finished third and in the best form, yet bookies have us favourites, is it just based on name and historical reputation?

 

[NorthumberlandBoro]

All hope is lost.

 

[LaPennaBianca]

Crazy really that Luton are the team that finished third and in the best form, yet bookies have us favourites, is it just based on name and historical reputation?

It's because we have the best players, are the top scorers and have clearly been focussed on the Play Offs for weeks now.

 

[Jonny Ingbar]

To be honest none of the play off teams have been in blistering form.

 

[TeaCider]

One of the teams with better form is getting knocked out first, whatever happens.

I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

With respect that table is nothing but reflects we have eased off in the last 4 games.

 

[wilkos_perm]

Although it is of course a clean slate for all teams, form and league position are irrelevant in the grand scheme, should we be worried we have been in the worst form of the 4 teams for some time now?

5​	Luton Town	10​	5​	5​	0​	13​	5​	+8​	20​
6​	Sunderland	10​	4​	5​	1​	17​	12​	+5​	17​
7​	Coventry City	10​	4​	5​	1​	16​	11​	+5​	17​
8​	Wigan Athletic	10​	3​	4​	3​	7​	8​	-1​	13​
9​	Preston	10​	4​	1​	5​	13​	21​	-8​	13​
10​	Middlesbrough	10​	3​	3​	4​	20​	15​	+5​	12​

Crazy really that Luton are the team that finished third and in the best form, yet bookies have us favourites, is it just based on name and historical reputation?

It's based on us being the most dangerous team when on form.
Regarding the "should we be worried bit" then no, why bother worrying? Everyone has the same worry (losing) and the same hope (winning). Just get up for the game and hope for the best

 

[Ayresome_park]

Form guide for the play off teams

Last 5 games points total

Coventry/Luton - 11 points
Sunderland - 9 points
Boro - 7 points

Luton unbeaten in 14 games
Sunderland unbeaten in 9 games
Coventry unbeaten in 7 games

Its going to be interesting but except Luton, Coventry and Sunderland were going full whack to reach the play offs, depends how people want to look at it, is it better resting players and easing into the play offs or going all out and feeling that buzz of reaching the play offs on the final day.

I have absolutely no doubt that Boro will step up there game, UTFB!!!!

 

[TeaCider]

With respect that table is nothing but reflects we have eased off in the last 4 games.

To be fair, even in the 10 games prior to our mathematical qualification, Luton were still clear in front of any team in the form table.

They'd got 24 points, we'd got 17, as had Coventry, Sunderland had 12.

 

[WindyNook]

Still top scorers!
If we score more than the opposition over the next 3 games we go up!

 

[DonTheKing]

We win its a bonus. Lose and its another year in championship which isn't too bad really after start of season we had.
Let's just enjoy them.

 

[Angus]

When the referee blows his whistle on noon Sunday I think mental strength rather than form will be more important.

Having seen all the teams in the playoffs we have absolutely nothing to fear.

 

[Bernieslavenschin]

No, we shouldn't be worried.

See this thread: Does form matter? or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the playoffs

 

[brattleboro]

we are not going into the playoffs flying,thats for sure,along with key injuries,little concerned to be honest,but time will tell im sure

 

[Nero]

League form shouldn't be a worry. The play-offs are not part of the league season and each team has to approach it differently. Boro have had a strange few weeks with playing games that don't matter and managing the time of key players.

Boro need three big performances and a total different mentality to the last few months.

 

[Big_Nothing]

It's based on us being the most dangerous team when on form.
Regarding the "should we be worried bit" then no, why bother worrying? Everyone has the same worry (losing) and the same hope (winning). Just get up for the game and hope for the best

Hope Carrick has something a little bit more inspiring to say to the lads like, Wilko

 

[Colgates_shaving_foam]

Hope Carrick has something a little bit more inspiring to say to the lads like, Wilko

I'm not so sure Carrick will be one for rousing speeches. More likely to be something like trust yourselves and your team mates, don't worry if we go behind, keep doing what you do best.

Probably loads more effective, whenever I see or hear a rousing speech, thinking all the Welsh stuff recently, I find it a bit cringey.

 

[BigAl76]

Form is temporary.
Class is permanent.

 

[atypical_boro]

In 2015 the last 10 games we were W6 D1 L3 and we didn't win the play-offs. Mind you Norwich did have better form, which included a home defeat to us.

In the glorious and unlucky 2017/2018 season, Tony's Troopers went into the play-offs with fairly good form, P14 W8 D4 L2 (much better than Villa who tactically bored us to death in the semi and stopped us playing our usual free-flowing game).

 

[atypical_boro]

Form is temporary.
Class is permanent.

and form can change at any given moment