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A LACK OF CHRISTMAS PRESENCE 3-1-08
Udayan Mukherjee
Even after another home defeat, this time 2-0 to Everton, it is difficult to get angry with the players or the manager. I'm not sure exactly when the tide turned but now we are not angered by defeats, merely resigned to them.
Not so long ago, we were embarking on a golden age, one that led us to previously unthinkable heights.
This February will see the fourth anniversary of 2004's victory in the Carling Cup final. Unfortunately, under Gareth Southgate, the rot that had been papered over by 2005/06's UEFA cup run seems to have come to the fore.
What's more is that any pretence that we are anything other than average has been given up. But what puzzles me is that surely we are not that bad an outfit?
Clearly, there are glaring holes in the side and changes do need to be made to address these issues. The loss of Mido since September has resulted in what was a potentially exciting season becoming one that has so far been miserable.
Arguably the big Egyptian is our only 'proper' striker. He is the only one who can guarantee a certain number of goals and, perhaps equally as important, the only one who is a presence in the opposition's area.
It can be argued that the defence and midfield are of sufficient quality to make us a good side, it is just that presence up front that is lacking.
For the first time in ages we have two players on either flank who can provide the bullets but frustratingly, as soon as this conundrum has been fixed, our frontline is sold and not replaced adequately.
It has to be said that Tuncay Sanli has been excellent since his goal at Reading. His intelligent link-up play and running beyond defenders has meant that we have at least one forward now who looks like a goal threat.
However, like with Aliadiere and Dong Gook Lee, he lacks presence in the opposition box.
By this I mean that all three of them are rarely on the end of crosses. They don't bully defenders, either physically or mentally, or perhaps by sticking a finger up the defender's bum and making offensive comments about his mum.
Simply put, if even our strikers get nosebleeds at the thought of encroaching into the opposition box, or God forbid attacking a centred ball, then we, my friends, are royally screwed.
While Mido is out, I am unsure as to who should partner Tuncay. I like Aliadiere but as long as he has a goal scoring record that makes Curtis Fleming look like Marco Van Basten, then he can't be the answer. Aliohdearyme.
The good news then, is that Mido looks like he's finally on the comeback trail.
Mido is a very good player. He is a hard worker and a goal threat, despite being someone to whom you might say:
"Mido, you've got something on your chin".
"Have I got it?" the burly Egyptian might reply whilst rubbing it.
"No. I meant the other chin" could be your response.
Yes. He's a footballer with a proper double chin. Even rotund amble-meisters Viduka and Yakubu didn't have one of those.
Anyroadup, even with Mido on the comeback trail we have an opportunity to add to the ranks with the opening of the January transfer window. This is something we simply have to do.
There have been conflicting reports about how much we have to spend this month but we are in serious need of adding to the ranks. I believe that Gibson has publicly stated that if Southgate can find the right player, then money will be made available.
The names being bandied about are not particularly inspirational however. The question remains, are we selling ourselves short as a club? One of the names being mentioned is Rob Hulse.
The club that signed Juninho, Ravenelli, Viduka et al is going for Rob Hulse. We signed Paul Merson when we weren't even in the top tier and now we can't aim higher than Rob Hulse? Christ on a bike, it can't be that bad can it?
We might not have silly money at our disposal but I'm afraid our survival, both short and long term, might depend on signing a centre-forward who will score goals.
We're not some third rate, third world crew of reprobates and hobbledehoy. We're the Boro and we have earned our spurs in this league.
We've been established in this league for ten years and although we might not be able to spend thirty million on a single player, we're no less attractive a proposition than anyone else outside the top six or seven. If we believe that we aren't, then we are selling ourselves ludicrously short.
Selling ourselves short is something that has been particularly evident under Southgate. He is almost the antithesis of Steve McClaren. He is articulate, truthful and wants to play the game in the right way. He cares about the club and its fans.
However perverse this might sound, Southgate needs to be less truthful. He needs to attract potential targets and give them a positive spin of this club. The first team is not far from being a competitive and skillful side.
The most glaring problem is the forward line and I really hope that we can address it because I don't know if we could get back into this league if we go down (I don't think we will but there isn't going to be that much breathing space).
It's time to stop feeling sorry for ourselves. There's now a battle to fight for results and for the hearts and minds of the supporters.
2007 was not a brilliant time to be a Middlesbrough fan, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers, fellow Boro fans and the players of our proud club a very happy and prosperous new year.
Up the Boro!
Udayan Mukherjee
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