Middlesbrough crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round last night, losing 2-0 to Newport County at Rodney Parade.
Middlesbrough fielded a strong team in the FA Cup replay, with four of their back five that started against West Brom last weekend playing from the off at Newport. The midfield saw two changes with Adam Clayton and Jonny Howson coming in for Muhamed Besic and John Obi Mikel, and there was a start for Boro’s two goal hero from the Hawthorns, Britt Assomablonga, who replaced George Saville.
Manager Tony Pulis answered Boro fans’ calls to play Assombalonga alongside Jordan Hugill, but the strike partnership didn’t have the desired effect. The closest either came to opening the scoring was Hugill striking the outside of the post mid-way through the first half.
Goals from Newport’s Robbie Willmott and Padraig Amond in the second half were enough to set up a mouthwatering clash with Premier League Champions Manchester City in the fifth round next weekend.
Many Middlesbrough fans took to Twitter to give their take on the game, with this Boro fan feeling there is a certain disconnect between the supporters and the players at present.
Woken up this morning and I’m still massively hacked off over last nights performance.
Just when the togetherness vibe had been given a huge boost after WBA, losing in that manner to Newport has just a obliterated it.
Fans & players falling out big time too, what a mess. #boro
— Ian Smith (@Smithy_MFC84) February 6, 2019
This fan suggests Middlesbrough’s win over West Brom and the defeat at Newport sum up their topsy turvy form over ‘the last 40 years’.
The last two results basically sum up Boro in the last 40 years. #boro
— Leon Wobschall (@LeonWobYP) February 5, 2019
This dedicated Boro fan believes that the display at Rodney Parade was the worst performance of a Middlesbrough team in his lifetime.
Ive had a @boro season ticket since ayresome park and travelled to lots of away games. Tonight’s performance against Newport is the worst I’ve ever seen!!! #boro
— Steven Blake (@blakeyinyarm) February 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/RoyallyLad/status/1092982679547641856
Didn’t want to play Man City anyway. #boro pic.twitter.com/JwfIV6q1GR
— BoroFPL (@BoroFPL) February 5, 2019
But some fans weren’t so quick to judge the club based on their performance last night, and believe bad attitudes will do no good in Middlesbrough’s hunt for promotion.
https://twitter.com/m_p_judd/status/1092910411438063617
On the plus side, our first team defence have a solid 90 minutes hard work on a heavy pitch in their legs before the weekends match against Leeds. I can't see that causing an issue…. #Boro
— Ste (@LegoVRS1) February 5, 2019
