A massive game tonight then and I’m really tense.
We all know what it means to the club if we don’t get promoted and I’m definitely not in the camp that says we might be better doing another season in the Championship.
It’s definitely going to be a tougher league next season, for a start, with Swansea, Stoke and Albion in there too.
No, we need promotion if it’s at all possible.
I’m feeling reasonably confident about this game, but there’s always the nagging doubt that Boro are very capable of getting the first goal from a set-piece, just the same as we did against them.
Even then, I’d expect us to get at least a draw at home to Boro and that would be enough, but it’d make for nervous watching.
Squad news and the only change on our part is Bree coming in for Elmohamady, which is no surprise.
Likewise, Boro have only made the one change, with Ayala out injured and replaced by Dael Fry. Assombalonga keeps his place after being slaughtered by his own fans after Saturday’s game.
So I’m reasonably confident then, but you never know.
Traore is again the big question mark for me and I wonder how we’re going to handle him?
Can Hutton shackle him as well as he did in the last game?
If I was Pulis, I’d give him a totally free role across the front with the expectation that he’ll pull Hutton all over the place.
Which means Bree will have to be on top of his game in keeping an eye on what’s happening.
But what do I know?
There’s been the suggestion that Boro will let us concentrate on Traore, while Pulis has some other plan based around that.
Whatever, I’m looking forward to what should be a great game with a full house roaring us on.
And I’m going for a low scoring game.
1-1 it is.
COYL!
