Hull City and Middlesborough ready for Wembley showdown as both eye Premier League return
They face each other this afternoon.
Hull City and Middlesborough take on each other with a lot on the line as they both aim to get back to the Premier League.
There has been plenty of drama in the build-up to this game with Boro's place confirmed against the backdrop of the ‘Spygate’ scandal which cost Southampton their chance and rekindled the Teessiders’ hopes when they thought they were gone.
When it was put to him that he could hardly have had a more eventful first season in English football boss Kim Hellberg said: “No, no. That sums it up quite quite well, to be fair.
“It’s been up and downs and a roller coaster, and a welcome to England that’s been special. They told me I have some chapters in my book about this year to write later on.”
The Tigers were preparing to face Southampton, but have now had to start all over again, although they will go into the final on the back of a three-game unbeaten run which includes two victories, while the Teessiders, who finished the regular season seven points better off, are without a win in three.
Hull City captain Lewis Coyle said the Tigers squad had “let all the noise and distractions look after themselves”.
“We have no control over it, we just stay focused,” he said.
“Full focus to the game on Saturday, and we’ve got a chance to realise our dreams. There are no excuses on our end, there never will be. I wouldn’t allow that.”