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ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S BORO v CARDIFF CITY MATCH PREVIEW 8-3-08
ALI BACK AS BORO COMMENTATOR NEXT SEASON
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Cardiff City may well be struggling in the Championship, but after Sheffield United took Boro to within seven minutes of a penalty shoot out in the last round, Gareth Southgate will ensure that his side pay City every respect in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final to ensure that there is not an upset.
A capacity crowd at the Riverside and Wembley within touching distance should, however, make for a great atmosphere and be the “twelfth man” to lift Boro to a place in the last four.
A lot was made last week about Gareth’s comments concerning the low key atmosphere, as Boro fell to a desperately disappointing defeat inflicted by Reading, but the manager was keen to stress that as someone who has played in front of the fans at full volume, he knows what a difference a noisy crowd can make to the teams chances of success.
Who can forget the Uefa Cup semi-final with Steaua Bucharest as the team came back from a seemingly impossible position to win, and before the Southgate era, the League Cup semi-final in 1998 when the crowd roared Boro on to knock out Liverpool.
It is exactly that type of backing that the manager hopes will be created not only on Sunday, but also in the crucial home games to come in the Premier League.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is looking forward to his Riverside return and after scoring the spectacular winner against Wolves in the last round, he clearly still has the ability to pose a threat to our Wembley dreams.
‘The Hit Man' had a big impact in his time at the Boro, despite the fact that a few of his team-mates were on the wrong end of his criticism on the pitch, but that was only because Jimmy was striving so hard for the club to succeed.
He scored our first goal in Europe against Banik Ostrava and if I had to pick out a favourite strike from Jimmy, I would be caught between his brilliant goal against FC Basle in the quarter-final home leg that helped cause the first of the remarkable comebacks, and the long range free kick at the City of Manchester Stadium that helped Boro retain their Uefa Cup status.
The match at Manchester City might be remembered more for the Mark Schwarzer late penalty save that denied Robbie Fowler a last minute winner, but without Jimmy’s great free kick “Ned Kelly’s” heroics would have been in vain.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO ALI'S 'NED KELLY' COMMENTARY
One of the key battles will be between the veteran Cardiff striker and David Wheater who is relishing the chance to help Boro to FA Cup glory. If the highly promising young centre half can keep Hasselbaink quiet, then Boro should be booking their first trip to the new Wembley.
Cardiff arrive on Teesside with form that can be described as patchy at best. They have failed to win their last three matches and hopes of a push to the play-offs have faded as they are ten points of a place in the top six of the championship.
The caution comes, however, from watching Boro over many years as there have been moments of FA Cup heartbreak at this stage.
Like many fans, I was at St Andrews in 1975 as Bob Hatton’s goal denied Big Jack's side at Birmingham City after we had defeated the Blues twice in the league and then the tears flowed again at defeats by Orient and Wolves, but I prefer to remember the last eight clash at Derby on March 8 1997.
The game took place at the Baseball Ground and Juninho, helped by some great link up play with Craig Hignett, tore the Rams apart. Juninho scored the first goal and then played in Ravanelli for an unstoppable finish in front of the travelling Boro fans to give Boro a place in the last four for the first time in the clubs history.
Lets hope for a similar outcome on Sunday!
The news broke this week that from next season I will be back commentating on the Boro for BBC Tees. I started covering the Boro for the BBC back in 1982 and I am, naturally, thrilled to be given the chance to commentate again on the club that I love.
I will, however, be sad to leave Century Radio, and my great friend Bernie, as they gave me a great chance to be their commentator in 1995 and I have enjoyed, with Bernie, some great moments including the Carling Cup Final in 2004 and, of course, the greatest parmo party of all time against Steaua Bucharest.
That is, of course, for next season and there is still lots to play for in the current campaign, together with lots of Simply Red Sunday shows.
So why not join Bernie and I this Sunday to preview the big cup-tie from 11 until 1pm where our special guests will include Curtis Fleming, John Hendrie and Archie Stephens.
There is also your chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel, Acklam Road in the Boro.
Why not give us a call with your big match prediction on our usual number 08450021100 or text 85102.
Up the Boro and lets hope its destination Wembley!!
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RETURN TO ALASTAIR BROWNLEE INDEX PAGE HERE
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