A bitter Paul Heckingbottom loses it by smashing up the sub board and gets sent off as Middlesbrough score a third against Sheffield United.
Middlesbrough maintained their hopes of finishing in the top-two in the Championship with a victory over promotion rivals Sheffield United.
The Blades are now seven points ahead of third-placed Boro despite losing for their first time since the 8th of November. They also have a game on Michael Carrick’s men.
Boro’s win, secured with Cameron Archer’s second-half double, after Chuba Akpom’s early opener for Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie, gave them renewed hope that the gap can be closed in the final weeks.
Paul Heckingbottom was sent off after Boro’s third goal. This came after Andre Marriner, the referee, played on despite appeals from James McAtee. The Blades then surrendered possession to Archer, who launched a quick counter-attack.
“I don’t like getting sent off and I was right to get sent off,” Heckingbottom admitted, before explaining his anger, as per Northern Echo.
“My frustration isn’t with that moment in that game, my frustration and anger is that we see that every game and I’m having conversations with the referees all the time. Emails backwards and forwards.
“To explain again, we have three really good ball carriers in James McAtee, Iliman (Ndiaye) and Sander (Berge) who are continually fouled, brought down or don’t go down and stay on their feet. I’m at the point now where I’m speaking to the lads and they’re going to have to go down.
“Look back at every game and you see it happening. This is the perfect example. Macca goes past, gets dragged down, stays on his feet, has another go, stays on his feet. There’s an advantage played, we lose the ball in less than four seconds, Boro get the ball and score.
“I’m not moaning about this game but if Macca goes down we get the foul and the lad gets booked. We see this against us all the time. I just hate the way the game is going with that.
“They’re my frustrations. It’s not just this moment in the game, but it’s a great example of what we’re talking about. The referees agree with me from the emails back and forward.”
Heckingbottom doesn’t want to encourage his players to go down but feels he has no choice.
He said: “It’s like when you bring a kid up and you reward the wrong behaviours. Are we all just accepting that that’s what we want people to do now in football? The anger is not today, it’s me constantly speaking about this and being agreed with. And it’s cost me now.”
He said: “The result is disappointing. We weren’t at our best, however we still did more than enough if you’re looking at opportunities and chances. Goals will always change games. We missed our opportunities and got punished. Key moments.
“Seven points, game in hand, if you’d have asked me at any point whether I’d have taken that, yeah 100%.
“We were going to lose games, we’ve lost games this season and we were going to lose. Things will probably be made of it because we’ve lost to Boro who are third. But nothing changes with what we want to do and how we do it.
“We’ll watch the game back and there are moments there where we could have easily been sitting here with us with the three points, but we’re not. We have to accept it.”
“What will be, will be,” Boro boss Michael Carrick said of the promotion race as per Sheffield Star. “We beat them tonight but they’re a terrific team.
“They have so many threats and good things in their team which is why they are where they are. We’re not getting carried away about positions, it’s about performances.
“It’s up to us to enjoy it and tomorrow look at the next game and towards Saturday.
“I’m only interested in performances and winning games as they come along. The league in the end will be the league in the end. There’s no point getting carried away with ifs and buts at this stage.”
“I’m proud of the lads,” he added. “The belief they showed. The challenge was a big one coming here tonight. It wasn’t about the league position, it was coming up against a good team on a great run and going a goal down made it even bigger. But the lads upped their levels and I’m really proud of them.”
Morning you lot 👋 #UTB pic.twitter.com/BDFPH98Hae
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) February 16, 2023
This is what fans said while Paul Heckingbottom loses it smashing up a sub board and gets sent off as Middlesbrough score a third goal…
@MillarMan69: If he’d slipped him through on goal with a pass and the ref pulled him back he would equally be moaning? Feeling the pressure clearly
@CScollett: The way Paul Heckingbottom describing his red card and his frustrations there emphasising numerous times “it’s not because of this game” tells me it’s exactly because of this game 🤣
@AJMitchelll: Is there anyone less likeable in football than Paul Heckingbottom man what a grade A bellend
@RedDogCam: Paul Heckingbottom is a vile individual. Kicking the subs board that looks to then hit the 4th official in the legs. Needs a substantially extended ban.
@EarnshawDaniel: About the only thing we managed with a clean connection tonight
@Richard_Parker: Should have booted Marriner instead.
@AlanGrinch: Never been an advantage. Marriner was decent enough tonight but that decision was fucking shocking and arguably cost us the game.
@sufclogan: Should have booted ref in bollocks
@Joelbirmz12: Summed up his night quite frankly and the teams. Now he’s suspended for three games that’s the problem
@northseaboy: Says a lot about Sheff Utd and Heckingbottom NO DISCIPLINE!!!!
@Kaytea21: Sent off for smashing the 4th officials substitution board. A little composure if you please.
@oli_tatty: THEY ARE RATTLED, 2nd IS OURS FOR THE TAKING AHAHAHHAHA
@davinamarieb: Heckingbottom has to be the biggest sore loser in the championship surely
@sarahjclough5: Heckingbottom saying you’re teaching kids bad behaviour by rewarding diving… after being sent off for smashing the refs subs board….erm what?
@kieranstead95: Hahaha heckingbottom man stop crying you had an advantage, mcatee gave it jebison who tried to turn 3 players and lost it… 6seconds between the foul and us winning the ball back how much more time do ya want
@JoeDevitt: This Heckingbottom interview 😂😂! Cry more!
@rohanhsbrown: Watching Heckingbottom commit assault on a subs board is like getting an extra point 😂 #UTB
@cbstar82: Heckingbottom smashing substitute board up! No need! Ball got out play for you out sub on! How some Sheffield United players haven’t been booked is beyond me! Be nice win 4-1 like did us last season! Been outstanding since equalised. Best Team! UTB! 💪
@maxnffc_: heckingbottom is a proper whiny prick when things don’t go his way i fucking hate him
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