It was being reported earlier today that Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis’ plans and preparations for the clash against Leeds United this weekend were seriously disrupted following their FA Cup defeat to lowly League Two side Newport County.
County put in a fantastic showing on the night to take a 2-0 victory and book their place in the next round of the competition on Tuesday evening, and although there were changes, engine failure for their flight back from the game led to a very long night indeed.
Sky Sports reported that with the flight a no go, they were forced to re-board the team bus and return home by road, a journey that saw them not arrive until 7am the next day with players sleeping on the coach.
With the tie this weekend being important in the wider sense of both clubs’ promotion hunt, how much of an advantage this hands us is widely open to debate given squad rotation, but with Middlesbrough being one of the eleven clubs to complain to the EFL about ‘Spygate’ I can only imagine someone will blame Bielsa for this.
Now we see what today’s EFL Board Meeting brings.