Middlesbrough’s play-off dreams will come to an inevitable end this weekend as the gap between our promotion rivals is probably too wide to close. Although play-offs is still mathematically possible, it is expected that Boro, currently seventh, will be the team to just miss out on a top six finish. The most frustrating and disappointing end to a season since relegation in 2009 – which is just as hard to deal with.

It has taken me a few days to reflect upon Tuesday night’s draw with recently relegated Doncaster Rovers and the consequences. Failure to beat Donny and wins for Cardiff City and Blackpool has stretched the gap between joint fifth/sixth and Boro to four points. Only considerable cock-ups from the three teams above us is our only chance of any glory now but I don't believe Birmingham, Blackpool or Cardiff are likely to throw it all away.

The Bluebirds face Leeds United and the Tangerines take on Burnley today and with our late kick-off  against practically promoted Southampton, Boro's fate may have already been decided before a ball has been kicked. As far as I am concerned though, our rollercoaster of a season ended prematurely on Tuesday night.

Drawing 0-0 with technically the worst team in the league is simply unacceptable for a side trying to prove themselves in this division. No disrespect to Doncaster Rovers but we made them look much better than reality. But they definitely didn't look like a side worthy of playing League One football next season and the same can be said for Boro and the Premier League.

Donny were a team under absolutely no pressure, enjoying some free-flowing football, whereas we crumbled under expectation. We were a mess from back to front, struggling to even string three attacking passes together - which didn't bode well with the home supporters.

Some slightly naive fans may say we don’t deserve promotion following that result, and if you had asked me on Wednesday, I would have probably agreed. However, when thinking straight, it’s fair to say that we deserve at least play-offs. Tony Mowbray has done an almost faultless job since inheriting Boro’s threadbare squad of overpaid underachievers, following Gordon Strachan’s reign of terror. It’s a real shame that recent performances and results have blighted what was supposed to be our ‘promotion season’. People may have forgotten that up until the turn of the New Year, Boro dominated the top six and during March we were still up there. Fans obviously couldn't help but feel that at least play-offs would be a certainty come May. This makes the disappointment even harsher and these final two games will be hard to take, especially seeing others around us succeed.

Over the past few seasons, seeing the likes of Newcastle United and West Brom bounce back at the first time of asking and others like QPR reaching the Premier League, whilst Boro were stuck in mid-table, has been difficult viewing. I’d be lying if I said I wasn't really jealous of Reading and didn't envy Southampton, today’s visitors, for their accomplishments so far this season.

The Saints need to pick up three points today to join the Royals in the ‘promised land’, making it two consecutive promotions for Nigel Adkins’ side. Unfortunately, I can’t see past a win for the away side which will ultimately confirm their promotion and that we will spend another season playing second-tier football.

At least I can see a team promoted at the Riverside this year, as uncomfortable as it might be. It will be impossible not to imagine that it could have been us and I'm sure there will be plenty of reflection following confirmation of our failed campaign. Boro have come so close to reaching the play-offs and potential promotion, but at the same time it’s so far away.

 

[ad_pod id='writer-1' align='right']