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DEEP IN MY HEART
Bolton Wanderers vs. Middlesbrough, 2nd November 2007, Reebok Stadium, Premier League
James Keen
For the second time in two weeks we play a side in the bottom three, a team with a new manager, and for the second time in two weeks we will enter a game thinking that only a win will be a good result.
The levels of discontent in the north-east following the draw last week should be quashed as they do nothing for the club, the players or us, the fans.
We were playing Tottenham, strugglers in terms of league position and points, but an explosive side with the capabilities of scoring for fun.
Why wasn't a draw a decent result?
At the start of the season they were tipped to challenge the top four, and they still have the same side as then. And, to make them even better they had a new manager, and we all know about the lift that usually gives a team.
So, I declare, here and now, that a draw with a decent Tottenham team, in the present situation was a good point. End of story.
I will also now go on record as saying that I will happily accept a point at the Reebok this weekend, in spite of their poor record.
We have to start remembering, we are down there too. And there is a reason for that.
We haven't played well this season. Barring a storming first half against Birmingham we haven't really taken our chances and we haven't really dominated sides.
Admittedly, we have had a lot of possession against some teams, but we don't look like an Arsenal or a Manchester United. We just don't seem to have that threatening edge to our game.
We're lacking one top quality attacking player or to put it into past terms, a Ravanelli up top or a Juninho in the middle. We haven't got that little bit of something extra.
Fabio Rochemback this week declared his desire to play for Brazil again and I hope to God he does get back in because that means he will be playing like a Brazilian again.
I like Fabio though as he plays the game the way I do; always looking for something a bit special. In time I think he'll work well with Tuncay but I think he misses Julio a bit at the moment.
Not long now fella and he'll be back. Apparently he's already back in light training.
The potential return to the side of Pogatetz is a welcome one. He will add a bit of cynicism to our defence, and give us some welcome backbone.
Chances are he will start from the bench so Wheater and Riggott will have to keep up their work from the weekend.
So far I haven't mentioned Bolton; a side under the influence of a new manager with a penchant for the draw.
Between Boro and Bolton we've had five draws and seven defeats in the last twelve games. The only notable result between us was Bolton's 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena against Bayern on Thursday night.
But with that result comes the potential curse of Europe. Sides like Boro, Spurs, Bolton and Blackburn who don't have particularly good squads have traditionally struggled the weekend after their European adventures, and so should we capitalise?
We probably should.
But after recent events and recent results I'd gladly take a point away from home and worry about our next game.
We need a win, that much is obvious, but perhaps an away day against a fellow relegation battler isn't the right day to get it. And I don't believe for a second that Nicolas Anelka will be missing. All a bit of kidology in my mind.
We need to accept who we are, where we are and just grind the points out until we reach the magic 40.
Lets hope it's this season and not next!
The Outcome: My heart tells me we can win it 1-0, but I reckon a cagey 0-0 draw will be the outcome again.
Last Season: Bolton 0-0 Middlesbrough, 16/9/06, Premier League.
Boro Form (most recent result first): DLLLLL
Bolton Form: DDLDDL
Probable Teams:
Boro: Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Riggott, Wheater, Rochemback, O'Neil, Downing, Cattermole, Tuncay, Aliadiere.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Gardner, O'Brien, Meite, Guthrie, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Anelka, Davies.
Man to Watch: Nicolas Anelka
RETURN TO DEEP IN MY HEART INDEX HERE
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