Kim Hellberg offered some early thoughts on Middlesbrough’s play-off clash with Southampton
Kim Hellberg, head coach of Middlesbrough(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
Kim Hellberg is excited for what he expects will be two great games of football between Middlesbrough and Southampton, with such a big prize at stake.
Boro and Southampton meet over two legs in the play-off semi-final, which kicks off at the Riverside on Saturday. The winner will advance to the final at Wembley, where the prize then becomes promotion to the Premier League.
Hellberg has made no secret of his frustrations playing against many teams of late who’ve sat deep and offered little attacking ambition. But that was not the case in recent away games at Ipswich and Wrexham, both of which Boro’s boss described as excellent games to watch.
Speaking immediately after the Wrexham game confirmed their play-off opponent from whom he has similar expectations, Hellberg said: “It will probably be a very good game of football and we’re looking forward to it.
“Two attack minded teams, it will be two great games of football. I’m looking forward to it and it will probably be similar [to Wrexham] with two teams going and trying to beat the opponent because they trust themselves.
“To be fair, when we play teams that try to go forward and try to attack instead of only defending, it becomes a good football game. I like that type of football.”
In terms of league meetings this season, Boro have the psychological advantage. After playing out an early draw at Southampton before Hellberg’s arrival, he then masterminded a 4-0 victory over the Saints in early January.
Southampton lost only one more league game after that Boro defeat, before embarking on a 19-game unbeaten run. And Hellberg warns Tonda Eckert’s side will be a completely different prospect now.
“Absolutely,” he said. “They have more confidence from the run they’ve been on, they’ve been doing good things but there are always similarities – it’s the same players and same coach. It will be two good teams going up against each other.”
While Southampton will undoubtedly be formidable opposition, Boro at least head into the play-offs with their strikers in form. Tommy Conway and David Strelec both netted again at Wrexham, making it seven goals from the final four games for the duo.
“They keep scoring,” he said with a smile. “I think Tommy was brilliant to the left today: pace, had some unbelievable runs in the second half where he ran past everyone and played the ball in. We should have been on that one.
“So, I think Tommy did a very, very good game for us today. And David keeps scoring, keeps linking, being in the box all the time, working with those movements and the ball keeps falling for him now and it’s very, very good in those moments. They’re both looking sharp.”
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