It's somehow appropriate that, having seen off now promoted Southampton last week with an 'away at home' performance and result, Boro rounded off their season with their 'at home, away' version.

'We just fell short' was Mogga's summation of season and match. Yep, just about right - and just about what most of us predicted as the campaign started, so it's difficult to be too disappointed - without saying that there hasn't been much about the season that we can and should be disappointed about. Just like yesterday's game.

It took a little while for Boro to get going at Vicarage Road but they then dominated the first half without scoring against a very limited and physical but not untypical Championship side. So far, so very 'at home, away'.

To be fair, they did also encounter a decent young 'keeper in Scott Loach - returning after the birth of his child - in decent form but, nonetheless, The Teessiders should have made their dominance count, but didn't. You sort of knew what was coming, even as Palace took the lead against Cardiff at Selhurst.

In true 'only play one half' style, Boro were never really 'at it' in the same way in the second period and gradually, their game dropped to bits and let Watford back in. Mogga was also consistent in his use of subs with most of the season - he brought on two, doubtless designed to 'go for it', but the changes just contributed to the midfield disintegration.

Sadly, Rolls Rhys looked well out of touch and as though he'd been out for as long as he had and, by long before the end, looked as though he was treading water - or treacle. Not to be unexpected. I think his best position is at centre back and hope to see him partnering Seb Hines there in August.

Iwelumo's goal that broke his drought of ages and got the lead for the home side was less of a surprise, to be honest, than the M&S equaliser with five minutes of the ninety left - because, by then, Mogga's Men looked to be firmly in 'won't score if they play 'til midnight' mode.

It was fitting, though, that it was Boro's top scorer that notched and that the assist was by Player of the Season, Barry Robson, on his swansong before heading to Canada. But the atmosphere in the away end was already subdued with Cardiff ahead.

In search of a winner that eluded them and would have proved nugatory anyway, Boro simply emptied their midfield and back four. Seb Hines and Big Mick went up front while Rhys Williams dropped back.

Surprise, surprise - they got done by a late sucker punch goal on the break from Deeney and succumbed with a whimper to a team whose limitations make 'run of the mill' a compliment.

Overall, so very 'at home, away'. The unseasonal cold and wet of this spring just seemed in keeping with events too.

Some other consistencies from yesterday - despite Tony Mc's performances last week and through the season, he was benched again yesterday in favour of Hoyte which ensured, as usual, that there was no service from the right and a weakness in defence on that side too.

Yet again, apart from Curtis Main, there was no sign of any of the young Academy talent on the pitch or in the dugout. Mogga might claim this was about having experience available to see Boro through - but what option or advantage does bringing Thomo back to the bench give you in a game you have to win?

And how does it help prepare those youngsters who - even according to Mogga - Boro are going to have to rely more on next term? Merouane Zemmama might also be scratching his head after his worldy free kick winner last time out and that he can bring something different from the bench to find himself banished to the outer darkness again.

Yet again, the need for some more craft and cleverness in the middle of the park that can unlock a defence - even one as workaday as Watford's - was underlined. The lack of any real pace and width was double underlined.

And, if you can underline a question mark, I still think the jury is very much out on The Jukebox - both as goalscorer and line leader.

Disturbing, when Mogga has called him the first building block in his new Boro. But, with the exception of Faris Har-ooo-oun - subbed yesterday as part of the midfield disintegration - I think the jury is pretty well 'twelve angry men' about all Mogga's signings this term.

It will be interesting, to say the least, to see what the Boro Boss does with the major turnover of the playing staff in the summer that will start with those out of contract at the end of June being read their fortunes tomorrow before the squad disperses for their holidays, some not to re-appear.

Chances are that whatever Mogga can bring in will depend less on fees than on looking at the 'out of contract' and 'season long loan' market elsewhere as others have a similar clearout as he proposes at Crockliffe and re-cycling whatever of the wage bill savings that Gibbo allows him when a few more of the high earners are moved on - balanced against those that the club is still stuck with.

The other question mark is quite what MFC will do - despite the protestations of support for Mogga in the summer - if those with deeper pockets come calling for the likes of Rolls Rhys and M&S.

But, let's finish on some positives. Another season long consistency in the away end at Vicarage Road yesterday. Yet again, The Travelling Parmo Army were magnificent, there in the noisy numbers and unwavering in their support.

They gave players and manager a great send off - even to those from whom their support deserved better. Let's hope they get it next term.

And, overall, seventh with seventy points represents progress in the final outcome over the last couple of seasons.

....it's the hope!!

But, sometimes you just have to abandon yourself - not all hope - to your impulses and just take the plunge.

Like two thousand other Tee-tee-teessiders, my lad and I have little choice but to join Tony Mowbray's Red and White Travelling Parmo Army of Boro Boys again, heading - lemming like - to the edge of The Championship cliff, aka Vicarage Road, tomorrow.

On Anthony Vickers' blog this week the discussion topic has been 'what Typical Boro scenario will play out on Saturday?' My favourite flight of fantasy so far is Geordie la Forge's 'grassy knoll' like 'FA imposes penalty' conspiracy theory entry. You know, it could just happen - especially with The Count at the FA now!!

Though it will be difficult to stay off the iPhones and the pocket radios to see what's going on at Selhurst - payback for the Carling Cup semi defeat is what my Palace following workmates are after; and Palace beat Cardiff one nil at home in the first leg! - all Mogga's Men can do is what they need to do and win at Watford.

You'd think he'd trust that task to the same group of players that produced one of the season's best 'away at home' performances and results last time out and accepting - nay, hoping - that Hoyte's injury from that game keeps him sidelined.

That's despite the fact that Thomo may have recovered from the niggle that kept him out of the squad for the Saints game. In my view, the Scot should get nowhere near the bench, let alone the team. As 'twofootanidol' points out on AV's blog, an anagram of Kevin Thomson is 'Think moves on'. Quite.

The question might be, if Rolls Rhys is fit enough, does he start? And, if so, where? I don't think Mogga will want to disturb the defence that did such a stalwart job last weekend, so who will give way in midfield?

It probably won't be 'Player of the Season' Robbo - though he was subbed against The Saints - or Nicky Bailey who will be needed in the holding role or Faris Har-ooo-oun whose energy, drive and commitment in a wide right role will be required. So, it's likely to be free kick maestro, Merouane Zemmama who could come on from the bench if his particular brand of trickery and dead ball work is needed or to give Mogga an option.

What would be disastrous for Boro is to take Sean Dyche's Watford for granted or to start slowly again. I'm sure that message will have been banged home at Crockliffe this week but the players haven't always taken it on board in the past - though, admittedly, that's been more often at The Riverside than on the road. There'll be a decent crowd and atmosphere for the game - despite the early kick off and TV coverage - and that should help.

It would be a travesty if Cardiff go down at Selhurst only for Boro not to win at The Hornets. Another strange stat shows that the only time this season that Boro have won away on the same day that the Welsh side have lost is when Boro beat Cardiff, three two on their park!

No more analysis - this isn't the sort of game or occasion where it's needed or has a hope in hell of getting close to the truth. And, certainly, no predictions, except that - even as we charge for the cliff edge - we lemmings know it won't be straightforward or without its painful moments. This is Boro we're talking about! But we also know there's nowhere else we'd rather be!

And this is only for a place in the play offs!

C'Mon Boro!!

Typical Boro Mk II! Where did that 'save the best 'til last - and 'til it's almost too late' Riverside performance and win come from?

Was it, as Mogga hinted afterwards in terms of what his side looked like, that with the number supporting The Saints in the South Stand and Boro tagged by the national meeja as roadsweepers at a Southampton coronation parade, the Teessiders' mentality had slipped into 'we're away' mode?

Whatever, Mogga's Men produced the sort of guts and glory game that's most often been reserved for their travels this term and thrilled a Riverside crowd every bit as much as they'd turned them off against Donny only a few days earlier in a Typical Boro Mk 1 show.

We should have known when Boro conceded after just forty-six seconds - defending that was more Laurel and Hardy than Sasha Baron Cohen letting Lambert and Sharp in. Those two don't need gifts but they're happy to take them, if offered, and Boro's back line got in a tangle and knotted this one up with an ugly little bow!

After that, though, the South Coast bandwagon never rolled for the rest of the half as Boro made it one way traffic towards the South Stand.

It was great to see width in their play, for once, with Haro-ooo-oun being particularly effective on the right. Saints never got to grips, either, with the centre of the Boro midfield diamond with Robbo ahead of Bails in his favourite attacking midfield role.

Though The Reds peppered the Saints fans with their efforts on goal the forty-five ticked over without an effort on target to show for all the pressure.

Many were beginning to harbour the usual 'if you don't score - or even trouble the keeper - when you're on top....' thoughts when the ball dropped to Bails just outside the box in added time and his volley beat Davies with the aid of a nick off a Saints defender.

That would have changed the atmosphere in both dressing rooms at the break but at the start of the second half, Southampton came out like the top two side they are and threatened to sweep Boro aside and the Reds' defence hung on - desperately on occasion.

No more so than when Seb Hines, not long since yellow carded, upended Lallana from behind as he was shaping to shoot at the edge of Boro's box. Unaccountably, though he gave the free kick, Mr Bates declined to book the Boro defender and give him his marching orders. Saints couldn't capitalise from the set piece after they'd finished protesting and after that, the tide began to turn.

Credit to Mogga for 'must win - going for it' subs, of the sort he's often flinched from before, on the hour. The welcome return of Rolls Rhys replaced the leave-taking - to generous and deserved Riverside applause - Robbo and the lad with Hicktonite in his boots, Curtis Main came on for Scott McDonald, who had made little impression on this game.

Main's arrival took some of the weight off The Jukebox and allowed him to move into the middle. When Fox fouled the Boro forward with The Saints history just outside the box, Mr. Bates showed a fine sense of irony when he booked the defender as well as giving Boro the free kick!

Though Tony Mc - surely worth a new contract and the regular right back slot - had gone close with an earlier attempt, Merouane Zemmama stepped up and clipped an unstoppable dead ball kick up and over the wall and past the despairing Davies dive to put Boro ahead on seventy-seven.

Though Adkins men got desperate in the remaining nineteen minutes, Boro held them at bay and saw the game out professionally in best 'away at home' style.

This will surely be deferred gratification for Saints who will nail second place at home to relegated Coventry at St. Mary's next weekend - if The Hammers don't do the job for them at The King Power Stadium on Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, Blackpool and Brum had nailed their play off places but Cardiff had dropped points at home - with yet more 'Typical Boro' irony - to Leeds. That leaves the door, if not open, then very slightly ajar for Boro next weekend.

The Reds have to win away at Watford and rely on Palace beating Cardiff at Selhurst - a draw won't do. A few Palace supporting workmates texted me after the game yesterday evening to remind me that they owe Cardiff for denying them a Carling Cup Final appearance earlier in the season when the two clashed in the semis!

So, which 'Typical Boro' scenario will play out?

Boro win at Watford applies in both - but in one, Cardiff equalise in added time at Selhurst to leave Boro rueing their 'haven't scored enough' goal difference. And in the other? Palace hang on to win and Boro go on beat The Hammers at Wem-bur-lee to leave Fat Sam crying after another defeat in a final to The Reds.

Yer pays yer money and yer gets on the roller coaster again! Could it ever be any different for The Travelling Parmo Army and across The DiasBoro? Yerjokin'aren'ya!!

....it's only just begun! So here it is - the last home game of a dreadful Riverside season - is everybody havin' fun? No, me neither.

By the time Boro and The Saints take the field in tomorrow's televised tea-time test the St. Mary's side won't know if they're promoted - The Hammers don't play until Monday evening - but Boro could well have the near inevitability of another season of The Championship confirmed if the Cardiff and Blackpool results have gone to form earlier in the day.

Any way round, it's time now to take the shackles off - just as Donny did last time out, knowing they had nothing more to lose - and have a go. Boro can only get beaten and that's just as likely anyway as another 'Typical Boro' effort, this time tonking a top two team rather than drawing with relegation fodder.

It's also time to focus on the future for Mogga - what's the point in expending game time on people that aren't going to be around or that he doesn't want to build a team around? Before any Fat Sam devotees get all hot under the bulging collar and choke on their gum about 'weakened team' - firstly, I could care less and, secondly, how can some of the younger 'development squad' do worse than their elders but not betters have at The Riverside recently?

The one exception I'd make is for Robbo. He deserves to strut his stuff one last time on Boro turf. Of the Scots imports, he's offered by far the best contribution, he can never be faulted for effort and commitment (sometimes to a fault, when it comes to his discipline on the field!) and many of his goals have been worthy of the admission money on their own. Take a bow, Robbo!

Assuming he isn't snapped up by a rival or, less likely, a Prem, team, Nicky Bailey will continue to be a stalwart next term. He should start too. With Adam Reach injured, I'm told, I'd complete the four with Haro-ooo-oun and Richie Smallwood and have Cameron Park on the bench, though I could be persuaded of vice versa with the two younger men. Halliday might make the dugout too.

Though Lukas-aid is defo a fixture for next season - being Mogga's 'first building block' of his new squad and team - he's looked like he's needed a gallon or two of the eponymous energy drink recently. So, the lad with Hicktonite in his boots - Curtis Main should partner M&S up front with The Jukebox and Luke Williams on the bench with Scott McDonald, if the Aussie can be shown to have improved his dressing room deameanour.

At the back, injuries mean that Big Mick will have to continue at centre back in front of the in form Jason Steele, unless young Atkinson is thrown in against Lambert and Do Prado. The youngster could make the bench, though. Seb Hines will play and Joe Bennett should be re-introduced at left back.

At right back, both Tony Mc and Justin Hoyte are out of contract at the end of June. There's only one of the two who's indicated he wants to stay and whose attitude, input and performances have meant he should have been preferred all along. Step forward Tony Mc - so long, Justin.

If the name isn't mentioned here, and regardless of whether we're still stuck with them on some inflated contract for another year, I don't want to see the rest anywhere near the pitch or bench tomorrow.

For The Saints, well - as Mogga would say - 'they are what they are'. And they are certainly one of the best two teams in the division over the season and pretty well nailed on for automatic promotion - whether or not they can start their promotion party on the pitch at The Riverside in front of what will probably be more fans than in the rest of the red plastic canyon.

What they also became, earlier in the season, were the first team to turn Boro over comprehensively in the reverse fixture. Not the last, so far, of course. If Boro don't want them to be the last, they should remember what it felt like to troop off at St. Mary's and bring out the 'can't wait to get them back to The Riverside' sentiments many expressed at the time.

If they are fired by those feelings, can get the shackles off, they can yet be promotion party poopers and send however many turn up tomorrow - and those across the TV, radio and internet DiasBoro - off from the last home game of this term with the feeling 'it's only just begun' and that everybody can have some fun at The Riverside, for once!

The first half? Do you really want me to tell you? Typical Riverside Boro. Struggled to get going at any point, were lucky not to concede a pen that looked nailed on from a Seb Hines foul on Chris Brown and Jason Steele every but as busy - which was 'not very' - as Woods.

For your proverbial Martian, it would have been impossible to tell the side that had already been relegated from the one allegedly desperately trying for the play offs. But if you're looking for pace and energy in your midfield and Haro-oo-oun doesn't make it - who ya gonna call? Julio Arca, apparently, if you're Mogga.

Surprised at the audible frustration of the Riverside faithful? No, me neither.

Lots of naff all happened at the start of the second period to lead anyone to believe anything was going to change. Indeed, Scott McDonald decided not to disturb the pristine stalemate by missing the simplest header from a Justin Hoyte cross when he was free three yards out. Hines decided to show he could do the same thing a few minutes later.

Mogga replaced M&S - presumably knee management again - and Robbo with Adam Hammill and Curtis Main on the hour. And that with Lukas-aid having yet another 'mare after his poor outing at Derby. Curiouser and curiouser.

On seventy-four, Arca was replaced by Kevin Thomson who was roundly booed by the home fans as he took the field. Presumably designed to up the pace and progressive passing - NOT! Yet again, errors of omission and commission from the Riverside dugout.

What little shape the home side had disintegrated further as they made an art form of failing to score against a team that had conceded seventy-seven goals this term. There was never any quality to lose.

Hammill contributed to the comedy of errors as he tried to cross, shanked it and hit the bar. Boro huffed and puffed deep into added time but there was no way.

Congratulations to Donny on a brave and well deserved point.

There are just no words for Middlesbrough. Well, there are but not that I could use here. Let's just leave it at 'Typical Boro'.

Now's the time to see the back of those who are surplus to requirements and play as many of the Academy lads as possible in the remaining two games and only those others who are going to be around next season or that we want to be.