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

DEEP IN MY HEART 26-8-07
Middlesbrough vs. Newcastle United, 26th August 2007, The Riverside Stadium
James Keen

My oh my! Wow! What a difference a few days can make eh!?

The game at the JJB was desperate, desolate and depressing but just three days later at Craven Cottage we ran amok, like Steve Bull in a china shop. We left two players completely shattered, one referee's season in tatters already, and left a reserve goalkeepers credentials battered! And what's more, we robbed the place blind!

Marvellous!

Personally, I love it when all the luck goes with Boro because let's be honest, we needed it and haven't had much recently. The two injuries to Fulham players were harsh and unfortunate, and I wish both players well in their recovery, but the manner in which Mido scored his debut goal and the way David Healy's 'goal' didn't count will live long in the memory.

It finally rights a couple of wrongs in my eyes. The Healy strike cancelled out the wrong of West Ham's goal that wasn't, and Mido's goal evens up scores for the goal David Beckham scored late at the Riverside in a 2-0 win, Mark Schwarzer pushing the ball into his own net from a weak strike back in 2000/2001. My word, bitterness stays with us doesn't it!

But whatever the circumstances, the importance of the three points cannot be understated. We needed them and we got them. Well done lads - excellent show.

Our next opposition though will be a different kettle of fish. The skunks are coming to town, and they're bringing some of our old friends with them.

Mark Viduka and Geremi will undoubtedly make their returns to Teesside amongst a frenzy of nonchalance. Let's be fair - there's not too much to excite us about the return of Newcastle's new captain after a few years with Chelsea. He was good but he's not going to set the world on fire and Viduka won't be playing well till Christmas 2010 when his contract is running out! So nothing to worry about there! Or is that a bit cynical of me?

There is no doubt that the return of two former fan favourites will add some extra spice to the game, but if we do lose this game it will be down to Newcastle's other stars. Obafemi Martins has started the season well, and with players like Owen, Smith and Butt around we should have a tricky afternoon. But a winnable one.

Of our opening fixtures this is the one that I saw as our best chance of victory. Not the easiest opponent, but our best chance of victory. Our recent record against the Badgers of Tyneside isn't a bad one. And with our new youthful side we should give Newcastle's often suspect backline a few problems.

Sad to say Titus Bramble has now left the club, making them a much better opponent than last time round, but still, they are a bit thin on the ground in terms of defenders, meaning Charles N'Zogbia has been operating as a full-back at the start of this season. Wonder if he lost a game of slaps with Nobby Solano? Seems the Zebras love to have a midfielder in defence.

On top of their love of midfielders in defence, the biggest error by any man this summer has to be Smithy's decision to join Newcastle, and as a striker in midfield, just think of what could've been at Boro.

Newcastle were very flat at St. James' Park last weekend. The 0-0 draw with Aston Villa was scant reward for the visitors who had much the better of the game, and if it wasn't for Harper in the Panda's goal it would've been three points heading back to the Midlands.

Let's be honest, Boro haven't got out of first gear yet this season, and if they have then we're in for a tough season. And if we do finally start to play as we hope we can then we will see off sides like Newcastle quite easily. Taking away the fact that it's a north-east derby, we should really look at Newcastle as one of 'the rest' and therefore a beatable opponent.

By 'the rest' I mean anyone outside of the top four of course.

The change of formation on Saturday didn't really work in the first half, Tuncay struggling to find his touch behind Mido, but when Aliadiere came into the reckoning we began to look a little brighter and a little more positive.

A couple of weeks ago I commented that Boro should consider a 4-3-3 which with current players should work. The 4-4-1-1 we operated with against Fulham should really be scrapped. Cattermole does not play well in a wide right berth, and playing in midfield Downing seems to lack the belief to get round the outside of his man, removing the best part of his game.

We're still at half strength in my opinion and the lack of a first choice defence is a huge factor in the side's struggles. We have a selection of defenders who can defend but cannot really play football from the back. It puts extra pressure on the midfield to create and to bring the ball out of defensive positions. As soon as Woodgate, Pogatetz and Young are in the side we'll see a difference and will attack with more purpose and confidence. We'll be a bit more fearless I suppose.

It's a massive game, three points puts us right up there, and will mean we all forget Blackburn and Wigan, but defeat will allow the scaremongers and the press to declare Boro relegation fodder again. Which, have you noticed, has dried up since the 2-1 against Fulham? How fickle football writers are.

I can see a frustrating season for Newcastle, promising much but delivering little. And I think Boro will further hamper their hopes at the Riverside.

The outcome:

My heart is telling me we will brush the Lemurs aside, 2-0, but my head is less optimistic and tells me stalemate and 0-0.

Last Season:
Middlesbrough 1-0 Newcastle United (Yakubu 85)

Boro Form: (most recent result first):
WLLWWL

Newcastle Form:
DWDLLD

Probable Teams:

Boro: Schwarzer, Davies, Taylor, Wheater, Riggott, Boateng, Arca, Tuncay, Downing, Mido, Aliadiere

Newcastle: Harper, Carr, N'Zogbia, Rozenthal, Taylor, Geremi, Butt, Smith, Viduka, Martins, Owen

Man to Watch:
Obafemi Martins

RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE