Another Saturday and another long away trip for Gary Johnson and his band of merry men as Yeovil are away at Middlesbrough.
The Glovers aren’t afraid of putting in a few miles, but this season, a trip to the Riverside Stadium is about as far as it gets, 326 miles to be precise. If you believe Google maps, you’ll be on the road for 5 hours and 8 minutes to get to the game, and a further 5 hours to get back. It’ll be an early start and a late finish for fans and players alike, but it’ll be worth it should the game end positively for Yeovil.
It’s fair to suggest that both of these sides are somewhat out of form, following Tuesday night’s round of fixtures both sides slipped down a place or two in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Yeovil dipped below the dreaded dotted line that is the relegation zone after losing 2-1 to Leicester, while a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield saw Middlesbrough drop to 14th.
Despite the six places that separate the two sides they both only have one league win to their names; The Glovers won at Millwall on the opening day while ‘Boro waited a week longer to get theirs, a victory over Charlton.
The difference, however, is the amount of draws that Saturday’s hosts have accumulated. No fewer than six of their ten games have ended in stalemates.
As for the two sides, Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray had told the BBC recently that he had hoped to add to his squad, but at the time of writing no new faces have arrived since their last fixture.
One man who does belong to Middlesbrough, but who won’t feature is Matty Dolan. The former Glovers loanee is out on another temporary deal with Hartlepool. Dolan was one of the Wembley heroes last season, coming on late into the play-off final to sure things up in midfield.
Yeovil are hoping that Dan Seaborne will not need too much treatment on an injury that forced him off in midweek and are welcomed by the news that this might be the final game that Liam Fontaine is ruled out of after his spell in the physio’s room.
Elsewhere, Shane Duffy and Wayne Hennessey are both expected to make the squad following their call ups to Ireland Under 21s and Wales respectfully.
‘Boro and Yeovil don’t exactly have a lot of history of playing against each other, a single Carling Cup tie in 2008 is about all that we can find of a competitive nature.
On the night, the then Premier League opponents were far too strong for Yeovil running out 5-1 winners. Goal scorers included England’s Adam Johnson, as well as big name stars Jeremie Alliadiere and Mido.
The ‘Boro side that night did include future Yeovil loanee Jonathan Grounds while Assistant Manager Terry Skiverton and First Team Coach Darren Way were both in the Glovers side.
Tickets are available on the day for anyone deciding to fill up the petrol tank at the last minute, but a usual service from BBC Somerset, Glovers Player and the Yeovil Town social networks will be in full flow.
If you are travelling, everyone at YTFC.net wishes you a safe trip and thanks you for your support.
Famous Fans: Who might you bump into in line for a hotdog?
X-Factor winner James Arthur and his mentor Nicole Sherzinger (well, she wore a shirt on TV once), Bob Mortimer, Singer Chris Rea and Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown.
Of course, there’s a famous YouTube clip of Jeff Stelling describing all that is good about Middlesbrough, but we all know he’s a Hartlepool fan.
A Foot in both camps: Who have played for both sides?
Jon Grounds, Jon Franks and Matty Dolan. That might be about it.
