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ALI'S BIG MATCH PREVIEW - WIGAN v MIDDLESBROUGH 15-8-07
Alastair Brownlee
The opening day curse struck Boro again at the weekend as after playing some attractive attacking football, especially in the first fourty-five minutes, the only two efforts Blackburn managed on target produced two goals and the three points.
No doubt some fans will see defeat as a sign that we are in for a long hard season but there was a number of positives to take from the game, not least the way in which David Wheater responded to the challenge of Premiership football.
The Redcar centre half scored on the final day of last season in the 3-1 win over Fulham and against Blackburn was denied by a fine Brad Friedel save in the first half before going close with a header cleared off the line in the last minute.
True, the 20 year old does have a few rough edges but having a former England international centre half as your boss can only help and Wheater will, I am sure, make a big impact.
I also thought that the pace at which we started the match was terrific with new boys Tuncay and Aliadiere playing their part so despite the disappointment at defeat Boro will play much worse this season and pick up three points.
The chance to bounce back comes quickly at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday. It was at Wigan back in May that Boro mathematically ensured their Premiership survival with a goal from Mark Viduka and a similar result would be just as acceptable.
It was at Wigan that I was again grateful to Gordon Cox who stepped in at half time as I was struck for the second time by a severe chest infection and "Coxy" took over the commentary.
He enjoyed being back behind the microphone and did a great job.
I have known Gordon since the early 1980's when we shared commentary duties for the BBC and there have been some great times following the Boro.
He features heavily in the book coming out at the end of August "25 Years Behind The Microphone" which is a look back on my time commentating on the Boro and will contain a free cd with some classic commentary moments.
So I am sure his solicitor will read it with interest!!
Naturally, will have a few copies to give away on ComeonBoro.com so watch out for that.
Hopefully, I won't lose my voice on Wednesday but I think Boro have a great chance of picking up at least a point.
The game will, unfortunately, come too soon for Luke Young to make his debut as the full back continues his recovery from injury and, of course, we are still without the suspended Fabio Rochemback.
I watched the highlights of Wigan's opening game at Everton and I thought they played quite well in a 2-1 defeat. Antoine Sibierski who will be a threat scored the Latics goal and they welcome back Henri Camara into the squad for the first time since April after recovering from a knee injury.
It looks as if the attack will be strengthened with the arrival of Mido from Spurs after Gareth revealed at the training ground on Tuesday that a fee had been agreed and that the player was undergoing a medical.
Aged just 24 and 6'2" the Egyptian centre forward will add to the firepower at the manager's disposal and if all goes well Boro fans travelling to Fulham on Saturday will see their new boy in action.
The arrival of Mido will inevitably lead to question marks in the media about the future of Yakubu with Everton and West Ham trying to step in but Gareth has never wavered from his desire to keep Yakubu at Boro and if we are to make a push up the table, then the Nigerian's goals would surely have a part to play.
A number of fans have asked if it was strange on Saturday not commentating and I must admit that it was, but I was delighted that Century FM have asked Bernie and I to put together a Sunday show dedicated to the Boro.
It goes out every Sunday from 11am until 1pm and for the first programme we have some great laughs with Gary Pallister, Craig Hignett and Curtis Fleming so don't forget to join in the fun this weekend.
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