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DEEP IN MY HEART
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa, 24th November 2007, Riverside Stadium, Premier League
James Keen
Let's face it; our record against Villa is awful. Only Manchester United and Arsenal have more wins at the Riverside than Villa.
Our defeats include last season's 3-1 shocker, the previous year's season ticket chucking 4-0, an horrendous 2-1 defeat against ten men featuring a winner from Peter Crouch and a 5-2 battering at the hands of Tommy the Hammer Hitszelsperger.
I hate Villa.
And we go into this game on the back of an eight league game winless run, although four weeks unbeaten, taking into account the weeks since our defeat to United, should give Boro something to cling onto. Because, by golly, that's what I'm clinging to!
Boro have found they're stuck in a rut and playing by habit. Sadly that habit is losing and not winning. By trying to win games they are playing against nature. It's like a smoker trying to quit. You know you should do it but it's just so damn hard! Is it worth all the bother?
Well, when you're got 25,000 people paying your wage then yes, it is.
I have a lot of faith in Boro and still have faith in Southgate.
People all around are saying that Southgate has a limited time left with us. I don't agree.
Steve Gibson is an astute man, he lives and dies by his decisions and he will not let any manager leave our club a failure. By the manager failing it is a blemish on Gibson's business acumen and on his leadership. He chose Southgate so Southgate will get his support. The buck stops at Gibson.
And I completely agree with his vision and his beliefs.
Some Chairmen are discredited because they change their manager more often than their socks, Deadly Doug Ellis and Freddie Shepherd for example. But what Gibson needs to now do is make sure he doesn't become a soft touch. By admitting defeat sometimes you show better strength and better character.
I don't want Southgate to be sacked, because if he does it'd be an almighty balls-up of a season that causes it. I want Southgate to be a success and move on to bigger and better things with Boro and then, who knows, England. I want our team to be a success, just as Gibson does, as Southgate does, as each and every Boro fan does.
This week our former Gaffer was villified before and after our exit from Euro 2008. And those of you who wanted to get knocked out so McClaren got sacked now have your wish.
I hope the smell of smug is a bitter one because I personally am gutted.
It's ruined my summer.
If you love the club, if you love the team then you support them in all weathers, and hope the only reason your manager and players move on is for bigger and better things.
Let's not force our manager out, let's not torment players like Downing until he moves on to play for Spurs, Manchester City or Villa. Let's give them our backing and let them know that we care and that we will support them no matter what.
They are our team and we are their fans. Let's start acting like it!
This will be a tough game. Our only saving grace is that Gareth Barry, Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and Scott Carson have been in international action and may be more tired than us.
Carson will, and should, face a cauldron of abuse. We are the home team and he shouldn't get an easy time whether we blame him or not.
And the boys in red should be cheered at every chance. Let's make our boys feel like they can play with freedom and ease. We have the talent, we have the leaders. Let's now give our lads the confidence to push onwards and upwards.
We all want the same thing. Let's act like we do.
Up the Boro!!!
The Outcome: My heart tells me we'll draw yet again 1-1, but my head says that we'll lose 2-1.
Last Season: Middlesbrough 1-3 Aston Villa, 14/4/07, Premier League
Boro Form (most recent result first): DDLLLL
Villa Form: WWDLWD
Probable Teams:
Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Riggott, Wheater, Rochemback, O'Neil, Downing, Cattermole, Tuncay, Aliadiere.
Aston Villa: Carson, Bouma, Laursen, Mellberg, Knight, Reo-Coker, Barry, Petrov, Agbonlahor, Young, Carew
Man to Watch: Gabby Agbonlahor
RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE
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