JEFF WINTER'S SOCCER SPOTLIGHT
ALL THE FANS WANT IS EFFORT AND TWENTY GOALS A SEASON!!
Jeff Winter, 3 Feb 2010
Well, so ended the busiest ever January transfer window for Boro. At long last we appear to have signed a mobile target man in Lee Miller, and a goal poacher with a proven track record in Scott McDonald.
Those teasing crosses from Downing or Johnson can finally be turned into goals.
Oops, we now have the end product but have we got the supply? I would certainly have welcomed the addition of Charlie Adam to the squad as he undoubtedly has the creativity to create openings as well as weighing in with few goals himself.
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The stupidity of the transfer window probably meant that time ran out for Boro to spend more of the Johnno cash. At least we were able to get the players in, I cannot imagine the reaction of the supporters had we lost him and not signed some forwards.
Whilst we cannot guarantee the goals will start to flow, at least these players will give 100% effort because Gordon demands that. Too often in recent years, we have fielded a multitude of forwards of varying degrees of ability who have all had attitudes and reliability issues. Boro fans will relish players who give their all for the team. Last Saturday, it took the introduction of Jonathan Franks up front to encourage the supporters. Gary O'Neil's non stop work rate has made him a fan's favourite and the signs are that Willo Flood will be a hero to the masses.
The new signings have a major job on their hands to bring back the smiles to the Riverside, last Saturday was again disappointing. There were signs of promise, but once again Boro drew a blank.
Over the last three years, I doubt that there is another club in the country that have scored fewer goals at home than Boro.
In the first half of the Bristol match, it looked as if Boro could win comfortably as the acres of space down the left flank allowed Boro to bomb forward and on a number of occasions Justin Hoyte was able to run almost unopposed. Unfortunately being naturally right footed, Hoyte was unable to turn his runs and possession into more. It was surprising that the natural left footer in the side, Adam Johnson, headed west by coming inside rather than staying east on the flank where he could have been more effective.
Maybe it was sign of things to come as the pull of Manchester City to the west meant that we saw little of his sparkling form in what was his last appearance in a Boro shirt.
Boro fans will be disappointed that yet another talented local player has decided that the only way to fulfil his ambitions is elsewhere. Is it any wonder that the atmosphere continues to fade at the Riverside? it really is like a morgue at present.
Some have criticised Johnson for leaving, but who can blame him for advancing his career and, in fairness to him, by not taking the cash last season and signing an improved contract, he actually saved the club a lot of money. Therefore, accusations of greed seem well wide of the mark. It will though be difficult to watch both him and Downing playing at the very top end of the Premier League. Let's hope we have a third such player coming through the junior ranks and this time they will be able to fulfil their ambitions with Boro.
Last Saturday, even the normal abuse handed out to refs was muted. County Durham ref Colin Webster came in for only mild derision after sending off home debutant Barry Robson. Perhaps even Boro's loyalist fans could sense the stupidity of that dismissal. Having already been cautioned and then given the ref a mouthful, within seconds Robson made the ref's job easy by committing another foul. The tackle in itself was hardly worthy of a second yellow card, but I am sure that the ref's patience had been exhausted. It always amazes me though that when a player is sent off, the fans applaud him - his dismissal may well have cost the Boro the extra two points.
I have been asked why a ref from so near to Middlesbrough was appointed to the game. Well, I often went to Sunderland and Newcastle. Fans seem to think that because of your affiliation to a club perceived as a rival of your own, it would colour your judgement when making decisions. Absolute rubbish, conspiracy theories always will exist with fans, but the bottom line is that ref's make honest decisions that are not dictated by where they live or which team they support.
When all three north east teams were in the Prem, if I had been debarred from reffing the other two as well as obviously not being allowed to ref my home town club, it would have left only seven games possible. It would have meant that you would have been having the same sides with great regularity. With a southern ref living near London, he would have his range of games seriously curtailed as at times six or seven teams from the capital were playing top flight football.
At times, last Saturday, I felt sorry for the ref. He frustrated both fans and players by being pedantic over restarts but if he had not have carried out the game to the letter of the law he would
have been marked down by the assessor.
The most obvious was the farcical situation when, after a throw in had been taken with a ball quickly provided by the ball boy as part of the multi-ball system, almost immediately the original match ball was thrown onto the field. Commonsense would have seen the throw in retaken, but the laws dictate that a drop ball has to take place. After argument the ball was immediately kicked out of play so that a throw could be taken. A waste of time which left the ref unpopular and looking rather silly.
I recall once ignoring the law for the sake of credibility and the assessor turned a blind eye. Ironically it featured Coventry City when Gordon Strachan was their manager. They were playing at Preston in the League Cup. I had already cautioned their skipper Paul Williams, when he slid off the field, with an opponent, with the ball remaining in play.
As both players got to their feet, Williams pulled back the Preston player who was about to run clear with the ball. Amid much animosity I dismissed Williams. I then had a problem with the restart, in law, as the incident took place off the field and I stopped play, the game should have recommenced with a drop ball. I am certain that the players would have been totally confused, not to mention the Preston fans. I gave a free kick to North End and no-one said a word. Sometimes the law is an ass!!
We could have left the ground last Saturday with an additional two points had David Wheater's late header hit the target. It would also have repaid my faith in him, as I am continuing to support him to score his first goal of the season. Once again, I am hoping that "One of our Own" can finally open his account this weekend.
We really need to start getting three points but I fear we may have to settle for one at Ipswich. I am taking Boro to get a point at Portman Road @ 11/5, a 1-1 draw is available @ 9/2 and as usual I am sticking with David Wheater to score @ 33/1 for the first goal, 12/1 for any other.
These are my charity bets for the weekend which presents me with a chance thanks to my friends at William Hills to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.
These are my charity bets for the weekend, which presents me with a chance, thanks to my friends at William Hill, to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.
Nick Thompson, February 7, 2010 at 8:23 am At long last Jeff a windfall for Great North Air Ambulance!!
Shame DW did not get the first goal then it really would have been a winner.
Regards
