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Untypical Boro is a lively topical blog by the Evening Gazette's award winning football columnist Anthony Vickers that aims to get behind the headlines to flesh out the stories that Boro fans are talking about.

Incisive, provocative and well informed it seeks to engage with articulate supporters and give them a platform to help set the agenda on the issues that matter.

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Fixtures Point To Boro Survival

Posted by on February 27, 2006 1:52 PM | Permalink

SO LONG as Boro don't lose to Birmingham we are safe.

Of course, for a lot of those calmer, more rational 'glass half-full' positivists revived Boro are home and dry already.

But those of us of a more nervous disposition and a keen sense of the ability of fate to kick us in the teeth will want Birmingham out of the Riverside and out of the chase before the palpitations subside.

A win would be a huge step forward but a draw will do. That will be enough to keep Mrs Doubtfire's collection of former Boro targets eight points adrift with time running out and facing a nightmare run of fixtures that should see them drift out of reach.

Because while Boro's next few fixtures and current form suggest that we can push on to 40 points - a figure that according to survival specialist Lennie Lawrence's magic formula of 'games played +2' will be enough - poor Birmingham and West Brom face a tough few weeks.

Look at the next few fixtures for Boro and the teams behind us.

Boro have a massive match at home to Birmingham next month then
face Charlton(A), Blackburn(A), Bolton(H) and Man City(A). Difficult but not impossible to pick up points in every game.

But Birmingham are in big trouble. After Boro they have another six pointer at home to the Baggies and even a minor miracle occurs and they win those two they then face Spurs(H), Man U(A) and Chelsea(H).

West Brom have to bounce back from the Boro defeat at home to Chelsea on Saturday then go to Brum - then after that face Manchester United, Spurs(A) and Liverpool(H).

A draw between the Baggies and Brum will play into Boro's hands and could leave them both trailing. A West Brom win would effectively leave Birmingham needing snookers. A Birmingham win would be the most worrying outcome and leave both within touching distance so Boro must keep winning - or drawing - ugly and scraping points.

Come Saturday night we could have banished any lingering relegation fears and calm frayed nerves. Then we can all relax and enjoy turning the cliche on its head as we start concentrating on the cups.