Tommy Smith and his Town colleagues will be attempting the near-impossible in trying to stop Middlesbrough strike pair David Nugent and Jordan Rhodes finding the net against them today.

Nugent will be looking to extend an amazing run of 15 goals in 14 games against Ipswich for previous clubs Preston, Portsmouth and Leicester, as well as Boro for whom he was on target in their 2-0 win at Portman Road back in December.

Rhodes, meanwhile, will be coming up against the club where he launched his career alongside Smith in the academy for the first time since his £9 million move to Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

He was sold by then Town boss Roy Keane in July 2009 to Huddersfield, who transferred him three years later for £8 million to Blackburn, for whom he scored six times in as many Championship fixtures against Town.

Rhodes has recently scored four times in five games for Boro - who dropped to second in the Championship by a point following Burnley's 1-0 win at Preston last night - but Smith will be doing his very best to ensure both he and nemesis Nugent draw a blank at the Riverside today.

Smith said: “They’re both good players and both have good records against Ipswich so it will be up to us to change that.

“I speak to Jordan a fair bit and I’m going to his wedding this summer, so we’re friends, but once you cross that white line you’re not mates until the final whistle blows.

Smith and Rhodes embrace after Town's 3-1 victory over Blackburn in December 2013, the striker having scored Rovers' goal

“You have to [put it aside] because you’re still mates and you’re just doing your job. It’s been the same when we have beaten teams he’s been in and I even broke his nose in a game a few years ago.

“I have come up against Chris Wood a few times, who is one of my best mates in football, and you try and give them a rough ride which maybe adds an extra edge to it.”

Smith still finds it hard to believe how Rhodes, a goal machine since an early age, was allowed to leave Town. He added: “Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The manager at the time saw that as the right decision for the club but we all knew as players just how much quality he possessed.

“He was always a great finisher and the finishers get paid the big money, but there was every chance he would if he kept on improving. All credit to him, he’s improved his all-round game and it’s not just scoring goals.”

Photo: Action Images

rfretwell added 06:15 - Apr 23 Boro were in Administration a years ago too!
6

muccletonjoe added 06:52 - Apr 23 Boro have spent their money in the right places. I would be surprised if our strikers even have a shot on target. That is the difference between investment and second raters.
9

12th_Man added 06:54 - Apr 23 Yeah good luck with that
3

Dissboyitfc added 06:59 - Apr 23 For so long now we have been papering over the cracks.All this was ok when fighting for survival, Middlesborough had the disappointment of losing in play-off final but took all that on board and came back stronger this season. Take last season for instance, Murphy's goals got us into the play-offs, he had the season of his career, any team would do ok with that amount of goals from one player! We really are a poor excuse for a football team. I am sick and tired of MM's attitude towards the supporters. He wont put out a weakened team out of respect and fairness to the other teams in the division, Fair enough, but be consistent and dont put out weakened teams in cup games. you have a duty towards the people who contribute towards your very expensive salary. A club is nothing without its fans, the cobbolds and sheepshanks knew this and we felt it in return. I can see another backs to the wall 1 or 2 nil loss in which we put in another inept performance. feel so sorry for our supporters travelling today. I hope you all enjoy the day and the unlikely happens.

15

BrettenhamBlue added 07:18 - Apr 23 What's the betting on when our first shot ON TARGET is going to be? I am going to take a risk and say 38 minutes. Huge risk given that we rarely ever get a shot on target in any first half. Reckon it will be Bru as he's normally willing to shoot at 30-35 yards out. Don't honestly think we'll lose this by too many goals. 2-0 sounds about right. Tactics? I have no idea. It will be really exciting to see what strategy we use. My guess is hoofball? So excited by our team and our tactics and SO looking forward to next season. NOT.

10

Chicago_Blue added 07:22 - Apr 23 I'm fearing the worst. We'll set ourselves up for a point and try and stifle them, but I can see them getting 3 or 4. Hope I'm wrong.
8

TractorWood added 07:53 - Apr 23 Am fearing a cricket score. Hopefully, we find something but with Rhodes and Nugent it looks grim. Well done to those travelling.
3

therein61 added 07:59 - Apr 23 Having watched the Custers last stand film I fear I am about to witness the footballing version!!
2

Kentish_Tractor added 08:09 - Apr 23 Mission Impossible? I've seen those films. It's not really impossible if they succeed. 5 times. Just saying.
5

jas0999 added 08:11 - Apr 23 This shows the difference in mentality between the two owners. Both clubs were on a level playing field, but one owner took a risk and bought wisely, the other sold assets and reinvested the funds in the running of the club, not the playing squad. We bought Coke, Toyre, Digby and a Polish fella. They bought Rhodes. We now need significant player investment in the summer.

6

PhilTWTD added 08:55 - Apr 23 "...reinvested the funds in the running of the club, not the playing squad". Aren't they one and the same thing, given there's been little if any expenditure on anything other than players?
4

Bildestoned added 09:01 - Apr 23 I'm not usually a geezer wot puts his head on the block but would suggest the mere presence of Rhodes and Arse-Face Nugent = two goals for starters, so I'm suggesting those here predicting a relatively narrow win are wide of the mark!
2

blue75 added 09:05 - Apr 23 Would a heavy defeat be that bad? we lose 4-0 upwards don't have a shot all game. I think would be another nail in his coffin!!
5

Fixed_It added 09:18 - Apr 23 Well if we've got to the stage where 'supporters'are hoping for a heavy defeat to suit their agenda, then I really do despair! COYB!!
6

karls_dad added 10:31 - Apr 23 Well that turnstile paint was expensive put that together with the price of sandpaper, god forbid a new brush or two! And don,t forget the staff,s wage bill! pretty sure MM got at least another £1-50 an hour, and TC a quid! it adds up these vast expenditues, how on earth can we actually afford to go out and buy some quaity players?
1

karls_dad added 11:13 - Apr 23 Essex 57 get a life, you down me for a tad of humour? for Petes, sake we need somethig to smile about!
3

paulcooperisgod added 12:09 - Apr 23 Be about 4 or 5 nil. We'll have 1 or 2 shots on target and that dinosaur MM will still say we done well!! Your an embarrassment McCarthy we're the most boring negative team in English football and Marcus Evans obviously doesn't give a t#ss! The sooner you both bu#ger off and give us our team back the better NO AMBITION
3

cats_whiskers added 12:09 - Apr 23 We could do with a 'Nugent' in charge to replace McCarthy
1

Seasider added 13:49 - Apr 23 For once not bothered about the score as am unable to influence the result,and a thrashing I am afraid Blue75 will make little difference to McCarthy's position;as he seems ensconced for another couple of years I fear.A win would make him even more big headed. The only way we will lose this great man(his opinion of himself)is if he decides to apply to a bigger club,like Villa or Celtic,who are both managerless. We can but hope!

2

thewix added 17:58 - Apr 23 Mission Possible?
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