‘Middlesbrough FC can still reach Championship play-offs,’ insists bullish Chris Wilder

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder was defiant after watching his side lose more ground in the race for a play-off Championship berth with a 1-1 draw at Swansea.

Wilder insisted his out-of-form team can still make the top six – even though they are now five points adrift of the cut with just three matches left to play.

A goal by Australian midfielder Riley McGree gave Boro a 46th-minute lead at the Swansea.com Stadium, only for in-form Swans striker Michael Obafemi to cancel it out almost immediately.

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Asked if his side could still make the top six, Wilder said: “Yes, 100 per cent. I haven’t got a crystal ball, I don’t know what’s in front of us but there is no given result in this division.

Riley McGree: Opened the scoring for Boro at Swansea but they were unable to build on it. (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty)Riley McGree: Opened the scoring for Boro at Swansea but they were unable to build on it. (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty)
Riley McGree: Opened the scoring for Boro at Swansea but they were unable to build on it. (Picture: Stu Forster/Getty)

“The teams above us have difficult games to play, the teams around us have difficult games to play – as do we.

“We’re back home on Wednesday night (against Cardiff) and it’s a season-defining game.”

In the space of 11 manic minutes after a forgettable first half, both sides scored, both rattled the crossbar with thunderous shots and Boro squandered two gilt-edged chances.

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McGree’s strike began the mayhem in the 46th minute. His 20-yard effort found its way into the net via a deflection and the bar after a loose pass from Swans captain Matt Grimes playing out from the back had gifted the Australian midfielder possession.

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder (Picture: PA)Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder (Picture: PA)
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder (Picture: PA)

It was Boro’s first goal since a 4-0 win at Peterborough on April 2 and it should have been 2-0 almost immediately, but Marcus Tavernier shot tamely into the arms of Swansea goalkeeper.

They were punished instantly.Swansea swept straight up the other end for in-form forward Obafemi to net his 11th goal of the season with a low right-footed drive from Joel Piroe’s pass.

Wilder added: “It was carnage at times and from a neutrals’ point of view probably fabulous viewing. There could have been a few heart-attacks for both managers and arguably we’ve had the best opportunities of the game.”

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Despite Wilder’s optimism Boro now look virtual certainties to remain in the Championship having taken two points from a possible 15 in their last five outings. They remain in eighth spot and while they have a game in hand it is a mountain to climb.

Swansea City: Fisher, Cabango, Naughton,Latibeaudiere, Christie, Grimes, Downes, Manning (Ntcham 72), Piroe, Wolf, Obafemi. Unused substitutes: Fulton, Smith, Joseph, Ogbeta, Hamer, Congreve.

Middlesbrough: Daniels, Dijksteel, Bamba, McNair, Jones, McGree, Howson, Tavernier (Payero 90), Bola, Watmore (Connolly 65), Coburn (Sporar 66). Unused substitutes: Lumley, Taylor, Peltier, Balogun.

Referee: D Webb (County Durham).

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