Sports

Match preview – Middlesbrough FC vs Millwall: Wilder takes charge of first game as Boro Boss

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2021

Credit: BoroOfficial

Middlesbrough welcome Millwall to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon knowing a win would take them ahead of The Lions in 9th place.

Although they currently sit 14th, there is just four points separating them from the top six.

Chris Wilder makes his return to management and will be hoping to get off to a decent start as Boro look to end their winless run.

The decision to sack manager Neil Warnock came as a surprise to many following the well-earned 1-1 draw away at Promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion.

Boro sit just four points adrift of the play-offs and with January fast approaching, new man Wilder will be looking forward to the challenge. He is likely to be backed in the transfer window in an attempt to drive the club toward the top end of the Championship. The opportunity to become the clubs manager was too big to turn down for the former Sheffield United man.

Young Striker Josh Coburn is in fine form in front of goal and will be looking to build on his record of scoring in consecutive games – a feat he has achieved for the first time in his career.

The leaky nature of the Middlesbrough defence is an issue that Wilder will need to sort immediately. His side have shipped six goals on three separate occasions already this season and need to find some form of the club is to fight for a place in the play-offs. He is no stranger to the task at hand.

For Millwall, their unpredictability was to the frustration of the majority of their fanbase as Rowett’s side started the campaign slowly. However, The Lions have managed five wins from their last eight games and find themselves just a point outside the play-off places.

Despite this, Millwall played out a 1-1 draw with relegation favourites Derby County last time out and failed to take advantage of being a player up for the final 25 minutes.

The nature of the Championship makes this fixture a crunch match as both sides seek to avoid dropping into the bottom home. A win for either side could build some much needed momentum.

Millwall came away as 1-0 winners the last time the two sides met as Gary Rowett’s side secured all three points courtesy of a an own-goal from defender Grant Hall.

Team news:

Wilder has had nearly two weeks to work with his squad ahead of the 3pm clash at the Riverside on Saturday. The new boss will have to decide whether to make any significant changes from the squad who played in Warnock’s final game.

A number of players have made progress with their recoveries during the international break as Onel Hernandez and Andraz Sporar return to bolster the attacking options for the home side. Matt Crooks also returns after serving his one game suspension following his five yellow cards.

Centre-back pairing Shaun Hutchinson and George Evans are set to return to the match-day squad to face Millwall. Both Sheyi Ojo and Matt Smith might feel like they have a chance of a start given the attacking shortcomings in recent games.

Millwall head into Saturday’s fixture without Daniel Ballard due to a head injury as Rowett faces no other serious fitness problems. They currently have suspension worries and travel to Teeside with the opportunity to play a full strength team.

Form:

MFC: W W W L L D

Millwall: L W W L W D

What are your thoughts ahead of the Championship clash at the Riverside?

Will Wilder make any changes?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

Related Topics:Championship Football Middlesbrough FC Sports

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2023

Chris Tubman

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

Featured

Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Published

1 month ago

February 8, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

Sports

Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC

Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.