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ALASTAIR BROWNLEE'S SUNDERLAND v BORO MATCH PREVIEW 25-4-08
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There can be no better way for the players to make up for last week's second half “no show” against Bolton Wanderers than by picking up three points at local rivals Sunderland and, in the process, confirm their Premier League survival.
It is, however, a game of equal importance for Roy Keane’s side who are also in need of points to retain their top flight status. They go into the Boro game on the back of a derby defeat at Newcastle.
The Black Cats' setback at St James' Park underlined just how important Jonathan Evans and Phil Bardsley are to Sunderland, as with both defenders missing due to injury, it looked, especially in the first half, that Newcastle could score at any time against a shaky visitors' defence.
Both Evans and Bardsley remain a doubt for the Boro game and, if they are absent, the Boro strikers must look forward to their afternoon on Wearside.
The problem for Gareth Southgate against Bolton was that chance after chance was missed in the opening half hour, leaving the side open to the Gavin McCann second half sucker punch.
Quite clearly, the strikers must show a more clinical approach if they are to avoid an afternoon of disappointment against Sunderland.
Against Manchester United, Afonso Alves proved that he has the ability of a natural goal scorer with his two fine finishes.
Whilst it is understandable that the club's record signing will take time to fully adapt to the Premier League, he does need to start to perform on a regular basis. Let's hope that we see the striker that terrorised United's title chances turn up at Sunderland.
Naturally, it will be a big afternoon for Julio Arca who is set to make his 200th career league appearance against the club who gave him a start in the Premier League when they brought him over from Argentina.
Arca, whilst determined to help Boro win, still looks back on his time at Sunderland with some affection and the sign of respect that he holds for his former club was summed up earlier this season in the meeting at the Riverside.
Julio was one of Boro's scorers in a 2-2 draw but failed to celebrate in a dramatic fashion as the goal came in front of the away fans.
The Boro travelling army of supporters will not care whether Julio celebrates or not on Saturday, just as long as he is on target again.
It has certainly been a mixed season for the twenty-seven year old. He started the campaign in spectacular form only to pick up an injury, ironically in the game against Sunderland, that ruled him out for three months.
Arca went on to be given the captain's armband over the festive period but the FA Cup quarter final defeat against Cardiff seemed to hit him badly and he has only recently regained his starting place.
Julio is a hugely gifted footballer and let's hope that his problems are now well and truly behind him and that in the final three matches he can regain that early season sparkle.
The match at Sunderland should also represent a personal milestone for Andrew Taylor as the game will be his 100th club career appearance.
The England under-21 international has a family connection with Boro as his dad, Kevin, is a coach for the highly successful under-15 players who recently won the prestigious Nike Cup.
The youngsters not only topped their group in the competition but also won the final 3-0 over Sheffield United. This gives further evidence of the rich crop of talent that the Boro Academy continues to unearth.
Looking back through my records, two games in particular stand out against Sunderland.
The first was as a fan when I went to Ayresome Park to watch a Boxing Day clash with Sunderland in 1973.
The ground was packed as Boro, going for promotion under Big Jack Charlton, faced the FA Cup holders who had pulled off one of the biggest Wembley upsets by beating Leeds United the previous May.
The match was tied at 1-1 until the last minute when captain Stuart Boam thumped in an unstoppable shot from a corner and raced from the East Stand to the Holgate End to celebrate in front of the fans.
What a terrific belated Christmas present.
As a commentator, the match at the Stadium of Light in 1997 stands out, not only for the 2-1 win but for the first Boro goal which was struck with awesome power by Emerson.
It remains one of my favourite Boro goals and I certainly received some hostile looks from the home supporters as the Brownlee vocal chords echoed around the press box!
Let's hope that Saturday is equally as memorable and that Boro can continue their fine run of victories over the Black Cats as on each of the previous three visits, Boro have returned to Teesside with the points.v
Bernie and I will, hopefully, be celebrating a derby win on Simply Red this Sunday on Century Radio.
As well as all the usual features, including the chance to win Sunday lunch for two at the Bluebell Hotel on Acklam Road, there is the opportunity to win a pair of match tickets courtesy of  Ladbrokes for the home match with Portsmouth on May 3.
There will also be the chance to win a pair of executive tickets for the Portsmouth game thanks to the Hillstreet Shopping Centre.
Special guests will include Neil Maddison and Stuart Parnaby, so why not join in the fun by giving us a call on our usual number 0845 0021100 or text 85102.
Up the Boro!
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