'Unbelievable sport' - Middlesbrough FC boss Kim Hellberg wants Southampton favour after win over Watford
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg wants Southampton favour after win over Watford
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg is hoping for a favour from Southampton after his side’s 5-1 rout of Watford.
Braces from Morgan Whittaker and Tommy Conway and a David Strelec goal put the Hornets to the sword, keeping Boro’s hopes of automatic promotion alive.
If Ipswich Town defeat Southampton on Tuesday (April 28), Boro will travel to Wrexham on the final day knowing they will be in the Championship play-offs. Hellberg’s men currently sit fourth, one behind behind second-placed Ipswich having played an extra game.
Kim Hellberg reflects
Hellberg said: “Football is an unbelievable sport, and you know that if it goes down to the last day, it is difficult to know how anyone is going to handle that.
“We’ve come from a position where we really felt we had nothing to lose in the last week. It felt as though it was probably gone, but if Ipswich do not win their next game, then it will come down to the last day of the season.
“If that happens, you never know. There are a lot of things that play into that type of game. Hopefully, Southampton can take at least a point from Ipswich, and then we will get that exciting last day of the season.”
Middlesbrough struggled to get going in the first half but burst into life after the interval.
Hellberg said: “The first half was not good for us, but it was two moments of brilliance, the first goal from Morgan and then the brilliant attack that led to the second. That is how we want to play.
“Then the second half is one of our best performances all season. I like how we played, how we took the ball forward and how calm we were on the ball.”
Edward Still’s view
Watford boss Edward Still, meanwhile, said: “The final result is really painful. The first-half performance was really good, as strange as it sounds after the game. I was really proud of the first-half performance, we were really positive and that’s what I want my team to look like.
“We got back into it with a goal after the break, but the third goal was a reflection of just how flaky we are in both boxes. There is not enough resilience in the team.
“A reset is needed on many points. Now is not the time to go into it – the least we can do is give something back to the fans next weekend at the Vic. It has been a draining season but that doesn’t excuse a result like this.”