'Chelsea would have destroyed us' 'Bitterly disappointing': What Middlesbrough fans are saying after Barnsley defeat and Carabao Cup exit

Boro made several changes following their league game against Watford on Friday, with manager Neil Warnock keen to look at some of his fringe and younger players.

Yet many felt those who came in failed to take their opportunity, while others are worried about the Teessiders’ thin squad and lack of options.

Some were even thankful their side won’t have to face Chelsea in the next round.

Here’s how some supporters reacted on social media:

@louisC_M: Tonight just highlights how thin our squad is, not one of the so called ‘fringe players’ done anything to stake a claim. Apparently we’re signing another striker, for me we need to address the lack of creativity and pace in that team ASAP. Strikers won’t score without service.

@Smithy_MFC84: Massive opportunity wasted this evening. Warnock is right, we may not have gone on to win the cup, but fans live for the excitement a cup run provides, the promise of glamour ties and dreams of giant killings. To limp out so woefully is bitterly disappointing.

@boro_alex2: Can someone please explain to me why we took our only striker off and replaced him with an extra winger whilst 2-0 down because that’s absolutely baffled my head

@wanaldinho: Chelsea would have destroyed us with there 3rd squad

@will22942573: Not too bothered, need to focus on the league but getting a bit worried now

@BoroBanterWatch: This was supposed to build the confidence of the fringe players, it has in fact done the complete opposite

@Chips19: Don't care about the cup anyway. Thin squad, game against Chelsea? No thanks.

@DrWaqarRashid1: Too many average players signed in the last couple of windows. No money to do anything about it now.

@We_are_Boro: Well I think it's safe to say that none of them came out and grabbed the bull by the horns. More evidence of the need to add to this squad!

@Matt_Rowney: Am I bothered that we are not going to Chelsea with another competition to squeeze into this compact season? No. Am I bothered about the performance? Absolutely. Playing like that wont win us many matches in the Championship AT ALL.

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