Middlesbrough v Norwich City - Championship Play-Off Final

[Mr Elmo]

Hope the boro fans enjoy their journey home. Absolutely sickening after the game although they deserved to lose. Congratulations to Norwich, good from the first to final whistle and a great turnaround from them recently.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Didn't see much of the game but sounds like Norwich deserved to win today. They've been a different team since Alex Neil took over, hard to argue with them winning promotion given they finished third. Disappointed that we don't get the chance for derby revenge next season though.

 

[LondonOrn]

One game left of the English domestic football season now.

Where has the time gone? At least I can find a new hobby this summer!

Didn't see much of the game but sounds like Norwich deserved to win today. They've been a different team since Alex Neil took over, hard to argue with them winning promotion given they finished third. Disappointed that we don't get the chance for derby revenge next season though.

There's always the cups if you get lucky...

 

[SamScfc]

I just keep telling myself it's only 6 weeks til the friendlies start, at least it's the countdown to the season!

 

[TractorBoys]

Fuck sake Boro.

Been down at Robin Hoods Bay all day without phone signal, came home to this result. Disappointing.

 

[Mr Elmo]

Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into the disappearance of a 21 year old male, last seen entering Wembley Stadium. If you have any information please contact them immediately..

 

[Magic]

Norwich were very good today. Boro awful. All about who turns up really on the day.

 

[Super_horns]

I'd fancy Norwich to do ok next season with their experience and probably spend well.

Alex Neil's stock must be sky high atm.

 

[LondonOrn]

I just keep telling myself it's only 6 weeks til the friendlies start, at least it's the countdown to the season!

Frankly mate if I was a Stockport fan I'd be glad of the break, but then surely things can finally start looking up next season? It's the hope that keeps us all going, even in our darkest times, without which we'd have nothing.

 

[SUTSS]

FUCKING YES!!!

 

[El Guapo]

This guy really shouldn't be playing on the wing. Ever.

Redmond played wide-right today and was excellent.

You still think that he shouldn’t be playing on the wing?

 

[SamScfc]

Frankly mate if I was a Stockport fan I'd be glad of the break, but then surely things can finally start looking up next season? It's the hope that keeps us all going, even in our darkest times, without which we'd have nothing.

Oh yeah, I forgot for a minute I was a County fan, I meant I was looking forward to football in general really

 

[JJ1532]

I'd fancy Norwich to do ok next season with their experience and probably spend well.

Alex Neil's stock must be sky high atm.

Still got a lot to prove in my opinion. Plenty of managers have gotten a team promoted and done nothing of note since. Norwich can testify to that end with Chris Hughton.

At the end of the day, he had a talented and experienced squad and he has done well to get them promoted. But he was pretty much handed the best possible platform to succeed. Big test for him next season to keep them up. Can he do it in the same fashion Lambert did a few years ago?

 

[LondonOrn]

I'd say that getting Hamilton promoted to the Scottish Premiership (regardless of the standard there, any manager has to start somewhere) in his first season through the play-offs, after overturning a 2-0 deficit in their away leg at top flight Hibs, and taking them to a Europa League place in their first season back up (as further evidence, look how much they declined after he left when they didn't win a single game until after the split) are already signs of a proven talented manager.

Yes being only 33, he's still learning and will improve, but it's not like it's his first managerial job like Aidy Boothroyd or Chris Hughton. He could do OK next season, enough to keep Norwich up at any rate.

 

[TheWednesday]

Well done Norwich City, Alex Neil has done a fantastic job since he came in and has got the best out of a very talented squad which Neil Adams didn't quite seem to be doing. I think they'll be fine next season with a few clever additions over the summer, they've got momentum on their side and most of this squad if not all has played in the top flight.

Heartbreaking for Middlesbrough though, had a great season but didn't turn up today and rightfully lost. Really interested to see what they do this summer as another crack at promotion has to be the aim for next season.

 

[SALTIRE]

I'd say that getting Hamilton promoted to the Scottish Premiership (regardless of the standard there, any manager has to start somewhere) in his first season through the play-offs, after overturning a 2-0 deficit in their away leg at top flight Hibs, and taking them to a Europa League place in their first season back up (as further evidence, look how much they declined after he left when they didn't win a single game until after the split) are already signs of a proven talented manager.

Yes being only 33, he's still learning and will improve, but it's not like it's his first managerial job like Aidy Boothroyd or Chris Hughton. He could do OK next season, enough to keep Norwich up at any rate.

He's done brilliantly, I remember seeing them get closer and closer to Dundee last season in the Scottish Championship thinking that they were going to overtake them to get that automatic promotion place and in the end it came down to the last game where Dundee just had enough and Neill then did it through the playoffs anyway. When the season started in the top flight in Scotland, his Hamilton were far and away better than Dundee and really were one of the in-form teams of the league, when he got offered the Norwich job out of nowhere.

Norwich have the squad to get out of the Championship in England, but its one thing saying that and its another thing to do it as its an absolute bearpit of a league. He deserves full credit to push these players on towards their best form and get them promoted back to the PL and in the first time of asking. He is definitely a coach to look out for, very pleased for him, and I hope he and Norwich could be competitive next season.

 

[LondonOrn]

Who do you support mate BTW? Are you a Dundee fan, or just a lover/follower of football in general?

 

[SALTIRE]

Who do you support mate BTW? Are you a Dundee fan, or just a lover/follower of football in general?

Dundee is my hometown team and I have a family connection with them, I also like other teams I admit, particularly Liverpool (yep I know! ), but yeah I watch as much football as I can and love the drama, theatre, hatred and brilliance it brings!

 

[Mansfield_Ram]

Happy that boro lost and Norwich won. Big transfer window for Boro to replace bamfords goals.

 

[Hooray]

Well that was a fucking amazing day. People always say winning promotion by being victorious at Wembley is the best way to do it, and they're not wrong.

Not sunk in yet that we're actually back in the Premier League. Can't wait to see how we do with AN in charge. It'll be fun though, I'm sure.

 

[SUTSS]

Absolutely Hooray. The whole day was great fun, the pub was already rocking by the time we got there at about half ten and that atmosphere kept up the entire day. If the anti pitch invasion things weren't at the front of the stand I'd have been pushed out in the celebrations for the second. Just absolutely mental.

 

[Hooray]

It is an amazing place to watch your team play (and win). Which pub(s) did you end up in pre-game?

I was front row of the middle tier. Padded seats, cup holders and leg room. Couldn't ask for more really

 

[Laker]

Superb performance and an amazing day to be a part of. We got to The Torch at about 10.45 and it was already rammed. Had a few in there then got into the ground around 1.30 and had a few more (as was taking ages to get served in The Torch).

Middlesbrough fans very loud before kick off but then silenced after the first 15 mins when Norwich run them ragged. "On The Ball City" before the game was bloody loud too, spine tingling stuff.

Obviously the whole Norwich team played well but I thought Johnny Howson had an outstanding game in breaking things up and letting Wes, Redmond and Jerome to tear Boro apart.

The 90 seconds or so when both Johnson and Bamford hit the bar were amazing, I was wondering what roller coaster ride we were about to go on. But it never materialised and from Jerome's goal onwards (great goal from Norwich point of view but shite defending and keeping), Norwich were always in control.

Stayed over in London last night and have a slightly muzzy head today, plus a very happy wife. I got this feeling 12 months ago and now she's experiencing it. It's a truly special moment.

 

[Munkiki]

Wow, what a day. Such an amazing experience, doubt it'll be topped any time soon. The sea of yellow and green looked awesome inside and out of Wembley. Clearly the best colours in football.

Every player rose to the occasion. Given what happened at Carrow Road, always felt the first goal would be important and went fucking mental when we got it. Completely lost it when Redmond made it two. Pre-game I'd been saying I'd be happy if we could keep it down to 0-0 going into half-time so to start as well as we did was marvellous. Some really good football in the first half and then a thoroughly professional performance to see out the second. Watching your team play and win at Wembley, incredible feeling.

Boro fans were very decent after the game. Lost count how many came up to congratulate us and wish us well for next season. Fair play to 'em.

 

[mistermagic]

Redmond played wide-right today and was excellent.

You still think that he shouldn’t be playing on the wing?

I wouldn't say he was excellent. He didn't exactly tore Friend apart did he? In fact his goal corroborates my opinion that he should be playing centrally. His control/dribble+shot is a typical #10 goal.

IMO

 

[SUTSS]

Superb performance and an amazing day to be a part of. We got to The Torch at about 10.45 and it was already rammed. Had a few in there then got into the ground around 1.30 and had a few more (as was taking ages to get served in The Torch).

Middlesbrough fans very loud before kick off but then silenced after the first 15 mins when Norwich run them ragged. "On The Ball City" before the game was bloody loud too, spine tingling stuff.

Obviously the whole Norwich team played well but I thought Johnny Howson had an outstanding game in breaking things up and letting Wes, Redmond and Jerome to tear Boro apart.

The 90 seconds or so when both Johnson and Bamford hit the bar were amazing, I was wondering what roller coaster ride we were about to go on. But it never materialised and from Jerome's goal onwards (great goal from Norwich point of view but shite defending and keeping), Norwich were always in control.

Stayed over in London last night and have a slightly muzzy head today, plus a very happy wife. I got this feeling 12 months ago and now she's experiencing it. It's a truly special moment.

We got to the Torch at about 10:45 so we must have been pretty close to each other. Took us 50 minutes to get served! It did become easier to get served later on, or my technique at the bar is better than my mate's. Great atmosphere in there though.]

Adrian Forbes was rubbish at getting the crowd going, whoever Boro had was much better.

 

[Hooray]

We were drinking in The Parish. Didn't queue longer than a minute at the bar, and two pints of lager were costing £6.50, which I was pleasantly surprised about. Costs about a quid or two more than that at my locals in Norwich!

 

[Munkiki]

Adrian Forbes was rubbish at getting the crowd going, whoever Boro had was much better.

Couldn't hear a word he was saying.

When Boro's guy said let's make it feel like the Riverside, I expected half of the Boro fans to leave.