Deep In My Heart, Wigan v Middlesbrough || Middlesbrough F.C. news, reviews and comment

DEEP IN MY HEART 15-8-07
Wigan v Middlesbrough, 15th August 2007, The JJB Stadium
James Keen

Will we ever overcome? Following the hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat at the weekend against our nemesis of recent seasons, Blackburn, the ideal follow up is probably this game in the heart of Lancashire against one of the hot tips for relegation, Wigan, one of only two sides we beat away from the Riverside all season last time round.

After an incredible first season in the Premier League, a season in which they flattered to deceive, Wigan Athletic have struggled for form and for vigour.

They got by on an incredible work-rate and the excitement of their first ever top-flight campaign in 2005/06. They narrowly missing out on Europe first time around, but they could not build on that last year, avoiding relegation thanks to the now departed David Unsworth's penalty against Sheffield United. And after a relatively low key summer following the departure of their talismanic manager Paul Jewell, Wigan look like a side preparing for freefall.

Used Car Salesmanesque Chris Hutchings is now in charge at the JJB, and his credentials don't really give you any cause to think that Wigan are planning on staying up this year.

Signings like Titus Bramble won't help them steady the boat. Indeed, the worst news I heard all summer was that he was leaving the Skunks for pastures new, guaranteeing them an extra ten points a season.

And although they have splashed the cash by bringing in Jason Koumas for £5.3 million, and Antoine Sibierski for free, I don't think they're going to have the fire power, the quality or the spirit to challenge sides this season.

Their opening day fixture, like Boro's, saw them defeated 2-1 so Wigan will be looking to follow that up with victory at the JJB. Althugh I'm sure they won't be counting on an easy game against a Boro side desperate to put the bitter disappointment of Blackburn behind them. Especially considering they committed a footballing cardinal sin and threw away a lead at home.

Boro's main problem against Blackburn was telegraphed long before Saturday's game and was probably the reason for the 10,000 spare seats in the stadium. We haven't got the firepower we need at the moment.

Admittedly, we do have several good strikers but, we have one of them playing on the wing at the moment, one of them lacking in confidence and another wondering where his pal Mark has gone and who will give him the ball now.

We are distinctly lacking a target man. Yakubu, like Aliadiere, like Tuncay wants to play off a target man, someone he can play a quick one-two with and go through on goal. None of our current crop of strikers will do this, not because they don't want to of course but because that's not their game.

Boro have put a brave face on the situation for a long time, stating that they were happy with their strikers and wanted to strengthen in other areas. But then, after a few pre-season games, Boro changed tack. Now they were actively seeking Alan Smith and when the deal didn't happen, Ahmed Mido was brought in instead.

Boro's makeshift defence did, in long spells, play very well and were only undone by two great goals. But I think it's a lot to ask to expect Davies and Wheater to get Boro back into Europe and the sooner Woodgate, Huth, Young and Pogatetz are back the better.

Indeed, Wheater was many punter's star man against Blackburn. A threat in the box and a rock at the back, the fearless youngster is definitely one for the future, but once the rest of our squad is back and fit I'd be tempted to send him away for a few months to get the match practice he most definitely craves.

So, how do we beat Wigan? To be honest, we should have the quality to beat them, I have no doubts about that. But what we do lack is potency up top. And so, Wigan could find their backline under less pressure than against Everton, simply for the fact that we have no Andy Johnson style player who wants to sit on the back-man and make a nuisance.

But with players like Titus Bramble around we should surely be looking to put that backline under immense pressure. If we can do that, they will crack.

I would like to see a call up given to Tom Craddock, a lad who wants to press onto defenders and quite clearly has an eye for goal. Look at how good Matt Derbyshire has become after Mark Hughes took a risk and gave him his chance at first team football.

It may also be worth looking at playing a 4-3-3 formation, utilising the places where we have strength. A midfield of Arca, Boateng and Cattermole, Downing wide left and Tuncay right with the Yak down the middle.

Admittedly this would mean dropping Aliadiere, but would probably give us a better balance till we find this elusive target man or natural right midfielder. No point putting square pegs in round holes, is there Gareth!

I don't believe for one minute that this is how we'll play though. Shame.

If we can stifle Koumas, and keep Heskey on his feet, we should come away with the points, but I have no doubt that this will be a cagey affair between two sides desperate for points and praying for a better season than the pundits will allow them.

The outcome: My heart is telling me we can claim the points, 1-0 like last year, but my head presses veers towards the stalemate and 0-0.

Last Season: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Middlesbrough (Viduka 29)

Boro Form (most recent result first): LWWLDL
Wigan Athletic Form: LWLLLD

Probable Teams:

Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Davies, Riggott, Boateng, Arca, Tuncay, Downing, Yakubu, Aliadiere

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Grandqvist, Kilbane, Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Heskey, Sibierski

Man to Watch: Jason Koumas

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