The North-East Summit || Middlesbrough F.C. news, reviews and comment

THE NORTH-EAST SUMMIT - MAGPIES MARCH ON 24-10-07
Stuart Young

Newcastle notched up another three points as they rolled over struggling Spurs on Monday night.

Boro and Sunderland were left in deep trouble as they were both beaten comfortably by Chelsea and West Ham respectively.

Newcastle

Big Sam must be feeling quite smug about his team's progress so far this season. His robust side have been collecting points every week and are now making a real challenge for a Champions' League position.

The game Monday night saw a home team never really threatened and a Spurs side in all sorts of trouble. Did anyone see Berbatov's lame warm-up prior to being sent on to help his side? After being told to go and warm-up three times by coaching staff, Andy Garcia (Berbatov) went on to help his so-called team mates but the Bulgarian bandit delivered a great walking technique for the last half an hour.

Newcastle outplayed the North London side for most of the game and were well worth their three points. Although the goals were gifted on a plate, thanks to Dawson for having a nightmare, Newcastle kept the ball well and got it into dangerous areas.

Barton's return to fitness was welcomed by the home fans and they gave him a standing ovation for his first competitive start of the season. This will give Allardyce a selection headache for future games as Sticky Butt is playing well and Emre is also on form.

Some unsettling news for the Magpies this week as Martins wants to get shot of St James' Park. Juventus is his likely next destination. But don't worry too much Newcastle fans, the Nigerian powerhouse has rubbished those suggestions and says he is happy. For now!

Newcastle will be looking for three points on the road this weekend as they visit a Reading side which are leaking goals for fun.

Middlesbrough

It must be hard at the moment being a Boro fan. The football being played is delightful to watch but the penetration needed to score is becoming harder and harder every week. When a team is in need of points and goals the two sides you probably don't want to come up against are Chelsea and Manchester United.

The season so far has been a forgetful one and is soon becoming a right-off as the boys in red try to rediscover the art of scoring goals. I was pleased to see Mido back at the weekend and his presence is always going to cause problems for the opposition defence. He was unlucky with a few chances and Cech produced two very good saves from him. On another day Mido could have had a hat-trick if the chances were taken.

After the game on Saturday Boro have dropped to seventeenth in the League and with the journey to Old Trafford on Saturday the slide may not stop just yet.

A little formation thinker for everyone here: How about playing players that can stick the ball in the back of the net up front instead of on the wing? I know Tuncay has played there for Turkey and Fenerbahce but as Boro are in need of scoring goals why not give Mido a striking partner, especially if you're playing at home? I've done a little bit of research on this one. Tuncay scored over ninety percent of his goals for Fenerbahce playing in a forward position. Gareth, can you do the math please!

I also read an article the other day saying that Southgate is looking for a spark within the team to get the season underway again and start picking up points. The answer to your "spark" Southgate lies with the talented lad you loaned out to Watford. He might only be playing in the Championship but he has scored four in seven appearances. When we had the injury crisis in attack a month ago we should of recalled this twenty year old wizard. He would have sparked the team into life with his no-fear approach to playing football.

Middlesbrough travel to Old Trafford on Saturday looking for much needed points. But before they get their hands on those points they are going to have to score goals against the meanest defence in the League.

Sunderland

Sunderland are in the same situation as Boro and need points desperately to avoid being sucked into the drop zone. It is now six defeats in ten games for Keane's side.

They travelled to Upton Park on Sunday for the televised game and were unlucky not to get a result. Sunderland had chances to take the lead and had their fair share of possession but it was the Hammers who went ahead through Cole.

The chances came thick and fast after the break and Sunderland got back into the game through Jones who headed superbly. Keane said the turning point came when Leadbitter's shot was tipped onto the post by Green with an excellent save and he was right. West Ham were in the lead ten minutes later due to a stroke of good luck as Solano's shot hit the post and rebounded off the diving leg of Gordon for an own goal.

Bellamy made the game safe on ninety minutes and the Sunderland players left the pitch feeling robbed.

Keane's reaction after the game was fair. He said his side didn't take the important chances that you need to win football matches.

With both Boro and Sunderland in the same spot of bother it makes it more fascinating for a neutral and of course for the odd Newcastle fan. Both clubs have been in this situation before and both have survived, so lets see how they both react to their last few disappointing games.

Sunderland's next game sees Fulham visit the Stadium of Light. This will hopefully see three much needed points for Keane and his side.

So Newcastle are still out in front and stretching their lead with 17 points and as for the other two Northeast sides, well they are just happy at the bottom with 8 points a piece.

See You At The Top

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