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ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S BORO v FULHAM MATCH PREVIEW 8-2-08
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The football links between Boro and Brazil that began back in 1995 with the arrival of Juninho, were further strengthened with the unveiling of record signing Afonso Alves on Thursday at the Riverside Stadium.
The club pulled out all the stops to give Afonso a great welcome and the samba band, carnival girls and the enthusiasm of local school children, who were delighted to swap the classroom for a chance to see the new hero, all made for a memorable afternoon.
Alves was delighted to see so many fans make an effort to greet him and said to me afterwards that he was aware of the previous Brazilians who had made their mark at the Riverside. He said he was also aware of how they were made to feel so welcome and that this was part of his decision to come to Middlesbrough.
Afonso's goal scoring record in both Sweden and Holland is impressive. He finished second in the Swedish top goal scoring charts two years in a row. After becoming Heerenveen's most expensive signing in their history, he went on to be the top goal scorer in the Dutch league in 2007.
The attendance for the vital home game with Fulham will, naturally, be boosted by fans keen to see Alves in action. They will be hoping that he can make the same impact that was made by Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, who hit a hat trick on his debut against Liverpool in August 1996.
Ravanelli is currently studying for his coaching badges with the Italian Football Association and was quoted this week as saying:
"English football for me is the best in Europe, it's the passion. It's my dream to one day come back where I played, say Middlesbrough, to be a manager."
I think it highly unlikely, however, that Ravanelli would receive a call to the Riverside hot seat and in Gareth Southgate we have a manager who is getting the club moving very much in the right direction.
The battling 1-1 draw at St James' Park last Sunday extended Boro's good run of form away from home to just one defeat since October. Robert Huth's header ensured Boro left Tyneside with a point. This was the least their efforts deserved.
Furthermore, the German international's partnership with David Wheater is developing into a formidable obstacle to opposition strikers.
Boro fans who remember the promotion winning side of 1973-74 under Big Jack Charlton will never forget the Boam-Maddren partnership. Meanwhile, for fans of the "Class of '86", Mowbray-Pallister were a terrific central defensive pairing. Whilst there is obviously a long way to go, the Huth-Wheater partnership is looking rich in promise.
Fulham arrive at the Riverside second from bottom in the Premier League and seven points behind Boro. However, they will be boosted by last Sunday's 2-1 home win over Aston Villa. It was a late free kick from Jimmy Bullard that clinched the win at Craven Cottage and gave Roy Hodgson his first win as Fulham manager.
The Cottagers' record on opposition territory is poor as they have yet to win away from home, picking up just five points from five draws. It is therefore up to Boro to take advantage.
In the last home match with Wigan, Boro put in a terrific opening half hour but lost their way somewhat when Tuncay went off injured. The Turkish international has been sorely missed since.
Nevertheless, Jeremie Aliadiere scored the winning goal against Wigan and then gave everything in the lone striker's role at Newcastle.
Aliadiere will undoubtedly benefit from the arrival of Alves and it will be interesting to see who Gareth decides to pair up front with his record signing.
Boro have a great home record over Fulham and looking back through the Century Radio archives, one of my favourite matches was the 2-1 win over the Cottagers on 7 January 2004.
Stewart Downing had just returned from a successful loan spell at Sunderland and on that evening he simply tore the Fulham defence to pieces with a great display of wing play.
Stewart nearly won the derby for Boro last Sunday with a late free kick that hit the post and I am sure that Alves will be delighted to be on the end of Downing's deadly crosses.
After, hopefully, a three point display against Fulham, Bernie and I will be on Simply Red on Century Radio this Sunday from 11 until 1pm.
As well as our usual features, including the chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel, Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, our guests will include Neil Maddison, Gary Pallister and Gary Parkinson.
So why not join in the fun by giving us a call on our usual number 08450021100 or send a text 85102.
Good luck to Afonso on his debut.
Up the Boro!!
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