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ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S PORTSMOUTH v BORO MATCH PREVIEW 28-12-07
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The pre-Christmas hope that back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Derby would be the inspiration for a rapid push up the table has evaporated following defeats by West Ham and Birmingham City that have dragged Boro back into a battle for their Premiership lives.
Attending the after match press conference at St Andrews on Boxing Day, I could see that Gareth Southgate was clearly angry with the side's 3-0 defeat.
He made his feelings known with his honest assessment that his side "had let themselves down" and looking at the overall picture added: "Some people claimed we had turned the corner after the win against Arsenal but I knew that we hadn't and the evidence was there to see."
By pulling no punches, the manager will earn the respect of the fans that travelled to the Midlands but Gareth is also well aware that he needs a positive response from the side this weekend at Portsmouth.
The reasons behind Boro's current plight were all on display at Birmingham as the team failed to break down the opposition defence and conceded poor goals.
At the midway point of the season our top goal scorer is Stewart Downing with four goals and the contribution from our main strikers has been Tuncay three, Mido two and Aliadiere one.
Clearly, an addition of at least one more forward would seem an essential requirement in the January transfer window otherwise the lack of goals could cost the club very dearly.
Its not just scoring goals that needs to be addressed because the five goals conceded in the two matches with West Ham and Birmingham were all avoidable and that is something that will anger Gareth just as much as the failure to score.
There is no good time to let a goal in but to concede late in each half, as was the case in the past two matches, is a major psychological blow and a solution must be found quickly.
The tradition that football over the festive period should consist, by en large, of games with local rivals seems to have been lost when this seasons fixtures were allocated as after the Boxing Day journey to Birmingham, the final match of 2007 sees the miles clocked up even further with the "local derby" at Portsmouth!
Pompey are in seventh place and will be tough opponents at Fratton Park where they fought hard to earn a point against Arsenal on Boxing Day.
Ironically, Portsmouth have a much better away record than at home where they have only won twice so far this season.
That statistic might come as a surprise to anyone who has been to Fratton Park and witnessed the terrific atmosphere that the home fans can generate but the answer seems to lie in their style of play.
Harry Redknapp tends to favour a 4-3-3 formation, both home and away, relying on hitting opponents on the break.
This works well on the travels but at home where the opposition do not push forward as much this can cause Portsmouth problems and let's hope that's the case on Saturday.
Gary O'Neil has been a major plus this season following his transfer from Portsmouth and he is desperate to play against his former club but at this stage it looks as if injury will prevent his return. This would be a major blow to Boro, especially as George Boateng is suspended.
After Portsmouth, Boro begin the New Year with the visit of Everton underlining yet again how tough a league this is.
I was thinking on the way back from Birmingham of great wins at Portsmouth but sadly, there have been very few over the years.
However one match on 25 August 1973 stands out.
Boro had just appointed a new manager in Jack Charlton and we set off on the Beeline coach at midnight on the Friday evening to get to Fratton Park in time!
The long journey was rewarded with Alan Foggon grabbing the only goal and that season would turn into one of the best I can recall watching Boro as "Charlton Champions" stormed to promotion.
Big Jack prided himself on making his team hard to beat and keeping a clean sheet was something he enjoyed almost as much as scoring goals.
Opposition supporters' chants of "Boring Boro" were music to his ears and there would have been more than a few hard words from Jack if his team had conceded the goals Boro let in during the past two games.
Possibly the route to Premier League survival in 2008 will be by becoming like the class of 73-74, tough to beat and injecting some of the Big Jack defensive spirit!
After, hopefully, a win at Portsmouth Bernie and I will be back with Simply Red on Sunday from 11 until 1pm on Century.
As usual there will be the chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell and all our regular features.
Ahead of the New Year clash with Everton we will catch up with Billy Ashcroft, John Hendrie and take in the Blues view with football legend Duncan McKenzie.
So why not join in the Boro fun by giving us a call on 08450021100 or text 85102.
I do hope that Boro fans everywhere enjoy a very Happy New Year and that 2008 is a fantastic year for the team.
Up the Boro!
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