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ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S BORO v WEST HAM UNITED MATCH PREVIEW 21-12-07
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"Let's keep this run going" is the clear message from the training ground this week as Boro look to build on back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Derby County in an attempt to push towards a mid-table position.
A victory over West Ham on Saturday would be the first time since January that Boro have recorded three Premier League wins on the bounce and a further sign that the team have put behind them the autumn fears of being caught up in a battle for survival.
Looking back on the most recent win at Derby, the performance might not have been as exciting as the Riverside demolition of the Gunners but the win was just as important. It also proved the doubters wrong in the old saying that "Boro beat the best but lose to the worst."
The match winner at Pride Park was Tuncay and the goals are starting to flow now for the Turkish international. He has scored three in the last three outings.
Tuncay's perfect finish against the Rams was not only a contender for goal of the season but also an example of his soaring confidence.
As Bernie mentioned on the journey home, a few weeks ago Tuncay would probably have taken an extra touch and the chance would have been lost. But after hitting the target against Reading and Arsenal, his finish at Derby was one of sheer quality.
Quite rightly a lot of praise was also given to Stewart Downing for his cross that gave Tuncay the chance to strike the winner.
Downing has battled back from some criticism by a section of the supporters this season. He has refound his form to show why other clubs would love to get his signature in the January transfer window.
It was, therefore, good to hear the firm "hands off" statement from Keith Lamb for anyone interested in trying to tempt either Stewart or Adam Johnson away from the Riverside.
Downing is battling for fitness in an attempt to keep his 100% appearance record intact. Providing he gets the all-clear, then his outing against West Ham will be his 100th Premier League start for the Boro.
This will be another milestone for the winger who at just twenty-three has the best years of his career still ahead of him.
Missing this weekend will be Fabio Rochemback who is serving a one-match suspension. His place is likely to go to Julio Arca who is now fully fit once more.
It is good to welcome Arca back but Rocky has played his full part in the recent revival and there will be some competition for the midfield places in the coming weeks.
The match at Upton Park back in September ended in a 3-0 win for the Hammers but the margin of victory was flattering for the Londoners.
Tuncay, in his current form, would have accepted a number of the clear openings that came his way that afternoon and Alan Curbishley's side are still coming to terms with back-to-back defeats by Everton. These ended their Carling Cup hopes and denied them Premier League points.
Traditionally, Boro have done well against West Ham on Teesside. They have only dropped two out of the last twenty-seven available points against them at the Riverside. Let's hope that continues on Saturday.
One of my great memories of home encounters with West Ham goes back to January 1970 when another Downing, Derrick, helped Boro to an FA Cup shock.
32,585 watched the match at Ayresome Park and the visitors still had members of England's World Cup winning side of 1966, including the great Bobby Moore, in their starting eleven.
Standing in a packed Holgate End, I remember a towering Hughie McIlmoyle header putting us 1-0 up and in the second half, from a Gordon Jones cross, Downing dived full-length to head in the second.
It was a fabulous goal and even though West Ham got a late goal back we held on for a 2-1 win.
A similar scoreline this weekend and a Downing winner to mark his century of Premier League starts would be an ideal start to the festive programme.
I do hope that all Boro fans have a fantastic Christmas and that the players can carry on their recent revival to ensure that 2008 starts on a real high.
You can react, as always, to the Boro action by joining Bernie and I on Sunday on Century fm's Simply Red.
The action starts at 11am and this week guests will include Alan Peacock and Craig Hignett.
There is a chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel in Acklam and a pair of tickets courtesy of Ladbrokes to watch Boro play Everton on New Years Day.
So why not give us a call on 08450021100 or text 85102?
After the show Bernie and I will be in the Hillstreet Shopping Centre from 1 pm until 3pm signing copies of Legend? and Voice of the Boro.
Up the Boro and a Happy Christmas to Boro fans everywhere.
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