Boro Mania

Up-beat Boro

We come into Saturdays game on the back of two, no wait, make that three very good performances in previous weeks. Our well faught win against Tottenham, the very unfortunate late loss to Liverpool and our midweek demolition of Yeovil Town. I'd like to say a big well done to the 15,000 fans that made it to the game, especially since it was against a lower league team in the early round of the cup! Let's see the same next round. [if we get a home draw!] There's never been a better time to get behing Gareth and the team, so let's try and make 30,000 on saturday!

Anyway i'll get slightly more on topic shall i? Well i'd like to say it's been a great start to the season, wouldn't you agree? Southgate has imprinted the winning mentality into the whole squad, not only that but we're playing attractive, attacking football and not one player has failed to perform when asked upon which will only benefit us in the games to come. Its always nice, especially for the fans, that we can have confidence in the squad as a unit and we dont have to think; "Damn, he's starting, doom and gloom time!" every time theres an injury or a change to the team. Obviously the squad will have their off days, a winning mentality doesnt guarantee you three points every week, just look at the Liverpool game, but if we have the drive and ambition to win, then these are going to be exciting times. Winning cups isn't everything either, its very desirable, but i'd be happy at the moment knowing that if we got to the semi-finals of the FA Cup or the Carling Cup, if we played well and lost, i could live with myself and i could also be happy for the team... unlike last year... need i say more? Well, one more thing... its great saying that but i'd rather not wait another 128 years for honours. At least we as fans can say we're the most successful side outside the top four... 11 years, 5 finals? Ill have another serving of that please! Won't you?!

He Picks Me, He Picks Me Not, He Picks Me...

As i've already said though, the entire team is punching their weight, and i can only imagine how its wrecking Southgate's head. Digard... well, he was brilliant in pre-season, brilliant in his cameo against Spurs and he pretty much ruled the roost in the Yeovil match! His dominance in midfield is a lot more potent than i thought it would be, and for such a young player to be compared to Emerson, [courtesy of Alistair Brownlee] is a real compliment. We certainly won't be complaining if those beautiful goals keep coming every few games!

Adam Johnson is another one to impress me in his rare start against Yeovil. We can argue all day about lower league teams and their effectiveness, [Banana skins anyone?] but he's shown how mature he is by settling for a place on the fringes and its going to soon be time to set him loose on the field. His goal was superb and his play was magnificent, the same way it's always been when he's played for the first team. Southgate is going to need to find a way to fit him in the team otherwise he's going to leave. Believe me friends, i've been saying this for years... Jinky is three times the footballer Downing is and if we lose him, its going to be a very dark day for Boro. I'm at the point where i can comfortably say, if we received an offer for Downing... im not saying £10m because hes obviously a good player and he's one we want to keep, but something close to £15m or more, id shake hands and let him go, because i've got no doubt that Johnson is going to be one of the best players England have produced for years, and he'll jump right in and impress right now!

And last but not least, id like to discuss Mido! What a dramatic improvement, i've been a fan of his for about 6 years and i've never seen him in better shape! He's just a shadow of the tub of lard he was last season, where, granted he showed flashes of ability, but injury and a lack of fitness really hampered him. So far this year, its 3 goals in 3 games, two off the bench and one start, and i've got to admit, they're all beautiful goals. The goal against Liverpool was just classic, and his midweek goal was an excellent angled placed shot which really shows his ability to finish! Alves currently hasnt found the yet, but yeah he's putting the effort in with his antics in the box and his shots on goal... it just hasn't happened for him yet. [hitting the back of the net] However, whatever team is out on Saturday, i'm sure there's going to be goals involved, whoever scores them!

As ever though, i wouldn't like to be in Southgate's shoes when he picks the team this weekend. I'd be very much tempted to place Alves on the bench and partner Mido with Tuncay and possibly leave Shawky on the bench, despite his solid displays!

Stoking the Fire?

Stoke are recent newcomers to the Premiership, being promoted last season automatically from the Championship in second place, two points behind fellow promoted West Brom. An interesting fact though, Stoke haven't competed in Division One [or the Premiership currently] since the 84/85 season.

They've enjoyed a good start to the season so far, but unfortunately for them having been shown how difficult it could be for them playing away to other teams on their opening day by losing to Bolton 3-1. It's been a different story at home though as they beat and shocked the the fixture list by beating European hopefuls Aston Villa 3-2 on the day.

The once Boro target Ricardo Fuller scored an excellent goal, using a first touch to beat surrounding defenders inside the box dripping with quality, and a fantastic shot on goal.

Their squad is full of Premiership experience aswell. They've made no less than six signings over the summer, while their Premiership contingent includes the likes of Dave Kitson [Reading - £5.5m]; Abdoulaye Diagne Faye [Newcastle - £2.25m]; Amdy Faye [Charlton - undisclosed); and none other than Boro Boy Andrew Davies [Southampton - £1.3m]; thats goals, defence and midfield all sorted!

Davies moved to Stoke this summer after only one year as a Saints player. He had a horiffic injury to his knee which was operated on, and he then didnt feature in their plans. He was very solid in his time for us though, so good luck to him AFTER this weekend and im sure he'll turn into a solid Premiership defender!

Middlesbrough: Possible team and tactics?

4-4-2: Turnbull, Wheater, Taylor, Huth, Pogatetz, Downing, Aliadiere, Digard, O'Neil, Mido, Tuncay

Gareth be looking to improve on our last three games by pushing for a convincing victory at home to Stoke. We'll make some changes this week based on current form and to give a bit more flexibility in midfield, while keeping the core of the team intact. We'll be using Digards physical presence and his ability to break up play to hopefully put a bit of pressure on the Stoke counterparts which, hopefully, will make them see less of the ball and feel rushed when they do have it, creating forced errors. Posession play will be more important this week, which is something we've lacked against Spurs and Liverpool. It will be O'Neil's job to create between Digard and the front two, and keep the wingers supplied which will see the front two getting chances from all over the pitch. Downing's job will be to sit on the bi-line and whip in the crosses as opposed to coming in-field, with Aliadiere being allowed to drift inside and push past the defense and apply pressure... O'Neil will be allowed to drift onto the right to balance play. Mido will come in hot on form after scoring two goals off the bench. He'll use his physical attributes to good effect and bully the defense while still using the speed he has to hit the offside trap and Tuncay will support him slightly deeper. They will both play off eachother where possible causing termoil in the box.

Possible Bench: Steele, Hoyte, Riggott, Shawky, Johnson, Emnes, Alves

Stoke: Possible team and tactics?

4-4-2: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Olofinjana, Delap, Amdy Faye, Kitson, Fuller

Pulis will be expected to play the same team and tactics that disposed of Aston Villa last week. Stoke will be looking to their experienced Premiership players in order to try and overturn us. Lawrence, ex Sunderland player, is a good skillfull player who'll be knocking about passes all day, he also has a good shot from distance so it will be upto digard to keep him in check. Amdy Faye is a very physical presence and will be looking to snap up the attacks we make, so as long as we keep posession and keep passing accurate and concise, then his threat should be contained, especially if he's applied with pace, we could be looking at excessive fouls from him in frustration. Kitson and Fuller have shown they can play well together. The before mentioned goal from Fuller, fluke or not? Can he do it again? We dont want to find out personally! It was a late goal in the game, which is something we've had troubles with upto now so im sure these two will be up for it... i think Kitson will probably stay on the last defender as i've seen Fuller likes to sometimes run through from deep.

middlesbrough team news

We have a full squad to choose from again this week, with only Brad Jones [wrist] and Julio Arca [Ankle - Return 4th oct] out of the squad.

This means that promising Ross Turnbull will keep his place in goal this week after impressing against Yeovil and Liverpool last week.

Our impressive play will see little changes to the squad as Wheater is tipped to play his third game at right-back with Huth and Pogatetz continuing in the centre.

Digard has been pushing for a start since the Tottenham game and may possibly get a chance to impress, with Shawky being sacrificed, taking his place on the bench.

Mido has also been pushing hard for a start aswell, and the only player that could possibly be left out upfront is Alves as he's so far, while impressed, failed to score in his two matches. Mido will be looking to claim a number one spot by adding to tally of 3 goals in 3 games and Southgate will definately find it hard to leave him out this weekend with the added speculation of a move.

Middlesbrough From: Turnbull, Steele, Hoyte, Williams, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Hines, Riggott, Taylor, Grounds, Emnes, Downing, Johnson, Franks, Digard, Shawky, O'Neil, Walker, Mido, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Alves

Stoke Team News

Stoke's only injuy concern is Boro Boy Andrew Davies who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained last season. He's due to begin full training next week.

They'll certainly be keeping the same team they put out against Villa as they have nothing to lose being recently promoted and playing away from home.

The only danger of change is Salif Diao possibly taking place of Rory Delap to add a bit more muscle to the midfield.

Stoke From: Sorensen, Simonsen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Wilkinson, Matteo, Shawcross, Dickinson, Pugh, Buxton, Olofinjana, Whelan, Lawrence, Amdy Faye, Diao, Delap, Phillips, Parkin, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe, Kitson

team vs team statistics

Boro and Stoke have never met in the Premier League. The last game between the two teams was in the old Division 1 [The Championship] in the 97/98 season, in which we beat Stoke away 2-1, infact, we've only played them six times since 1993!

In the history of the two clubs, the fixture has knocked up 90 matches! The stats say the results are pretty even. Boro have won 37, Stoke 33 and there have been 20 draws!

Boro are also ahead on goals, but only by a difference of +15! A total of 135 goals have gone into the back of Stoke's net, with a reply of 120 into ours!

Obviously those stats are history. Its been so long since a game has been played but its still nice to know isn't it? It would be pointless me laying down a fixture by fixture history of both of the teams this time, as we're just about to start a new chapter in the record books. Older results would really have no bearing on this match.

Team Form So far

Boro : W - L - - - -
Stoke: L - W - - - -

We are currently Six games without a draw.

Fortress Riverside looks like it will be built again. We've won four successive home games and drawing one in our last five home games. In these matches, we've knocked up an impressive 20 goals, while only conceding 8.

Predictions?

We have looked very good in our previous two matches. While stoke have put together a decent squad to take on the Premiership, it would seem to me that their win against Aston Villa last week may have just been a blip in Villa's form, as they were unable to beat a poor Bolton side a week previously.

As stated, while posessing a good squad to take on the league, they are lacking in quality compared to the Boro and i feel that a confident in-form squad will be too much for Stoke on the day, especially when you look at our home form. The team is itching to put Liverpool behind them, so i feel a lot of players will be out to score goals.

As long as Boro dont get complacent in the second half, which i've complained about on many occasions... i think we can keep a clean sheet and score a couple of goals.

Im going to say a comfortable win for Boro with plenty of chances missed!

Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Stoke

Hey, its two out of two results correct so far, im going for a hat-trick!