Kim Hellberg on why Middlesbrough FC should be acclimatised for Championship play-offs at least
BY common consent, it was Middlesbrough's form against sides at the wrong end of the Championship table which scuppered their hopes of finishing in the top two.
Their numbers against sides fighting it out for promotion - champions Coventry City accepted - has been better and while there was understandable disappointment at not going up via the conventional route after a costly spring, with Boro being the architects of their own downfall, all is not lost.
Boro's final two away matches of the regular season in particular should have at least acclimatised themselves for what is to come against Southampton.
The Saints head north on Saturday lunch-time, with the return leg taking place at St Mary's next Tuesday - for the right to reach Wembley.
Kim Hellberg's side were unfortunate not to win at promotion rivals Ipswich Town on April 25 and despite missing second-half chances in their final outing of the regular season at Wrexham last weekend, their performance against a Red Dragons side who have beaten Ipswich and Coventry on home soil was an encouraging enough one, heading into the play-offs at least.
The games at Portman Road and Racecourse Ground both possessed play-off type intensity, which should be handy for what is coming up.
Hellberg said: "I think, to be fair, when we play teams that try to go forward and try to attack instead of only defending, it becomes good football games.
"I think that (Wrexham) was an unbelievable game again to watch for the neutral and all the supporters. It was back and forth, with chances and four goals - the same thing against Ipswich.
"And I like that type of football and a lot of credit to Wrexham. They're structured in how they want to play. There was good intensity from the game."