Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray admitted his thread-bare squad were relieved to escape with a point after a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at the Riverside.
Palace had the best of the chances against a make-shift Boro side, who were without key men Barry Robson and Scott McDonald through injury and saw midfielder Faris Haroun limp off after just seven minutes.
"We are down to the bare bones," said Mowbray after his side recorded a third successive draw. "I think we are just glad to get a point."
He added: "It has been a difficult week for us. We only had four in training on Thursday and that makes it difficult to get the strong team out.
"We had a few players out there that perhaps in normal circumstances wouldn't have played but that's football and you have to get on with it."
Palace boss Dougie Freedman agreed his side had the edge and should have won but was keen to take the positives from the performance.
"I can understand why people think we should have got the three points, " he said. "We outplayed them at times and acquitted ourselves well.
Performance wise, we played well, although you live or die by your results in this game.
"But I take heart because if we play like that then we will win more than we lose.
"I don't think the conditions we really a factor. When you play football in this country then you learn how to deal with these conditions."
Comment 1 - 6 of 6
The worrying issue for Tony Mowbray may well be the sinking attendances. Despite being in the play off places and battling with severe injury problems, Middlesbrough are weathering the storm and hanging on. Reminds me of the Stan Anderson era when a tremendous young side was developed to provide his predecessor with the basis of a promotion team. Likewise Lenny Lawrence was denied ant financial resources but expected to produce a team capable of winning trophies. Perhaps if the missing thousands attended, got behind this young team and showed a bit of faith in the Gibson/Mowbray partnership, promotion could well be achieved automatically.
Still got a soft spot for M'bro.
Gibson Out and I heard chants starting
Geoffrey & Stuart, you are of course right in your support for Mowbray and Steve Gibson. The formers arrival at the club was long overdue,also the progress made this season has been dynamic it is only post Christmas that there has been any disagrement on where Boro should go next. Personally I believe we must benefit from the seasons current achievements and go for promotion now and at all costs. The away result against Sunderland shows Boro are there with the best and with only half the side batting. We could lose the replay because of injuries not because a full first team is not good enough. Had we had an experienced striker like say Kevin Phillips or similar no doubt we would have had enough goals to be leading the Championship despite the recent loss in form. Make no mistake Boro are a good side and with the youngsters have a great future. Be aware though that those who shine will be long gone if we delay entry to the premeirship. We develop the skills for the wealthier clubs to reap the benefits. I dont need to name the ex boro stars we currently have in the premiership, but will leave with the suggestion that neither Swansea or Norwich were expecting premiership status but both have and will survive because they have the right management.
When we read comments like those from N Barnfield, is it worth asking them to front up and ask what part of their life and finances they have devoted to the Boro cause. etulant criticism like theirs should be relegated whilst the team and their true supporters get on with the task of trying to get Middlesbrough Football Club back into the Premier League. To Question Tony Mowbray's judgement when he has hung on to all of our young improving players makes you wonder what the word supporter actually means. With four players in full time training its a magic wand thats needed and not negative backbiting.
I agree that I don't think the club wants promotion but to criticise Mogga for that is misguided....infact, even to criticise Steve Gibson after all he's done for the club and the town would be a disgrace. These guys will get us back into the Premiership and if its takes another year or two, then that's what it takes. We don't have the squad for it now (and would not have even after another 2 transfer windows), we need to develop the players we have and sign another 1 or 2. We should enjoy being at the top end fighting for promotion rather than enduring a relegation battle to League 1. Great turnaround in ayear, well done to Tony and the lads and to Gibbo for giving TM the support he needs. With all of our players fit, we're a match for anyone in the Championship and that's some turnaround in 12 months.
down to bare bones were you mr mobray,you new this when the tranfer window was open and never brought any cover in .tell the supporters the truth about promotion,the club doesnt want promotion we cannot afford it.another year or two in championship,stop pulling everyones leg about wanting to get promoted,you are starting to look and sound silly.
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