|
 |
ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S ARSENAL v BORO MATCH PREVIEW 14-3-08
ORDER YOUR COPY OF ALI'S NEW BOOK 'VOICE OF THE BORO' RIGHT HERE - NO LOG IN REQUIRED
ORDER MARK SCHWARZER'S BOOK HERE
The pain felt after the humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of Cardiff City will take a long time to ease but the spirit shown by the players in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Villa Park has at least ensured that the healing process has begun.
Significant questions about the players were thrown up by the quarter final defeat, however the performance in the Midlands proved that they are determined to regain their pride.
Most importantly of all, they also proved that they are aware of the need to rebuild bridges with the supporters, together with putting in performances worthy of their manager who has done so much to shield them from criticism.
Quite rightly, many will wonder how the team could be so energetic and competitive in the Premier League at Villa and so inept in the FA Cup but one area that was crucially different on Wednesday was central midfield.
It would be cruel to blame the Arca/Rochemback combination for the Riverside Cup heartbreak, as in truth the whole team failed to perform, but the impressive ninety minutes put in by George Boateng and Mohamed Shawky has given them a strong claim for a long run together in the team in the games that remain.
As the players head to league leaders Arsenal, they must still be frustrated at not getting the full three points from Aston Villa, but yet again they failed to take a number of good chances. This has been a problem for the majority of the season.
Boro have scored more than one goal in a league match on only one occasion in 2008 - the trip to Anfield on February 23 - and over the course of the season we have only won one game by a two goal margin. That was back on September 1 in the 2-0 home win over Birmingham City.
The forward line will be strengthened by the return from a ludicrous four-match ban of former “Gunner”, Jeremie Aliadiere, and by the inclusion in the squad of record signing Afonso Alves who missed the match at Villa Park due to illness.
Nevertheless, the strikers need to find a more clinical approach to finishing chances, especially at the Emirates Stadium where Arsenal will give Boro few opportunities.
On their day, Arsene Wenger's side are not only as good as any in the Premier League but also amongst the very best in Europe as their superb demolition of AC Milan in the San Siro in the Champions League underlined.
They can, however, be vulnerable as they followed up their European success with a goalless draw at Wigan and in their last home game were fortunate to scramble a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Boro can also point to the corresponding match at the Riverside back in December as encouragement ahead of the journey to North London.
On that occasion, Boro tore into the Gunners from the start and after Stewart Downing’s early penalty gave them the lead, the Boro never looked back and were full value for the 2-1 win after Tuncay scored the second goal.
Tuncay was back to his best in midweek and if the Turkish international can reproduce that form on Saturday, then Boro could cause an upset.
Last season Boro grabbed a point from their first visit to the Emirates thanks to a James Morrison goal.
Morrison is now playing well for West Bromwich Albion and, bearing in mind the strong Boro connection with the ‘Baggies', and as we can no longer win the FA Cup, I hope it is them who go on to pick up the trophy in May.
Looking back over games I have covered against Arsenal, one of my favourites was also one of the most bizarre as Boro travelled to Highbury in April 2001 still in need of points for survival.
Terry Venables was inspiring the great escape from relegation but even he must have been stunned at half time as the scoreboard at Arsenal displayed:
Arsenal 0 Boro 2
Visitor’s shots on target 0
The reason was two own goals had given Boro the advantage and in the second half a great goal from Hamilton Ricard rounded off a 3-0 win. Let's hope for the same result on Saturday!
Apart from the Villa point, the best news this week was that full back Andrew Taylor continued his battle back from injury with an outing for the reserves.
Taylor has been absent since November and it is good to see he has taken another step on the road to full recovery.
After the trip to Arsenal, Bernie and I will be back with Simply Red on Century Radio this Sunday.
We will have all the usual features including a Sunday lunch for two to give away for the Bluebell Hotel in Acklam and tickets for the Boro v Derby match courtesy of the Hillstreet Shopping Centre in the Boro and  Ladbrokes.
Special guests will include David Armstrong, Curtis Fleming and Gary Pallister so why not join in the fun by giving us a call on our usual number 08450021100 or text 85102.
We are on air from 11 until 1pm.
Up the Boro!
ORDER YOUR COPY OF ALI'S NEW BOOK 'VOICE OF THE BORO' RIGHT HERE - NO LOG-IN REQUIRED
ORDER MARK SCHWARZER'S BOOK HERE
RETURN TO ALASTAIR BROWNLEE INDEX PAGE HERE
 |
|
|
|
