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MIDDLESBROUGH v BOLTON, BRIGGSY'S VIEW
That's Entertainment!
A spirited performance ensured Boro took maximum points from a seven goal
thriller at the Riverside Stadium. The two hot favourites for the next
England job went head to head, with Steve McClaren coming out on top.
Steve
Mc decided to go with a 5-3-2 formation which included - Schwarzer,
Davies,
Ugo, Queudrue, Pogo, Parnaby, Rochemback, Boateng, Morrison, Viduka and
Hasselbaink.
The Bolton fans had just taken their seats soon before they were up
again
celebrating an early goal. A hopeful route one ball downfield fell
kindly
for Stelios, who then out muscled Davies and Queudrue and slotted the
ball
home on three minutes. A nightmare start!
Just five minutes later we
were
given the perfect opportunity to equalise thanks to Joey O'Brien. The
Irish
midfielder needlessly handled the ball in the box and left and left
referee
Howard Webb no choice to point to the spot. Where was super cool Yakubu
when
you need him? Hasselbaink stepped up to take the kick and hit it low
under
the Bolton keeper.
Mark Schwarzer was once again putting in a heroic performance, saving
twice
within the space of a minute. The first was from a low driven free kick
from
Gary Speed, which the Aussie saved down to his left, then saved again
from a
powerful effort from Jay-Jay Okocha. But Boro almost replied instantly
when
Viduka created a chance out of nothing but was denied by Jaaskelainen.
The
Charlton game in midweek was a game for defenders, but this was a game
for
defenders to forget. Both teams were enjoying decent spells and although
it
wasn't played at a high tempo both teams were creating chances.
Boro capitalised on the half hour, with a beautifully crafted goal.
Rochemback
was the architect. The Brazilian lofted the ball into the box for
Hasselbaink, who chested it for Viduka who took a touch and scored from
close
range. It was a very well worked goal.
It could have been worst for
Bolton
before the break, Viduka again causing Bolton all sorts of problems. He
hit
a shot from just outside the box, Jaaskelainen saved at full stretch
but
Hasselbaink could only sky the rebound. Viduka then picked out Morrison
who
found himself centre of goal and could only sky his shot. He should
have at
least tested the Bolton keeper.
The second half started like it began but this time it was Boro scoring
the
early goal. A Franck Queudrue free kick downfield eluded the Bolton
defence
and Hasselbaink reacted first and coolly lobbed it over the advancing
Jaaskelainen. At 3-1 you have to be confident of taking maximum points,
but
Bolton had other ideas.
They were rewarded with a penalty on the hour mark
when
Ugo took down Bolton sub Jared Borgetti. Jay-Jay stepped up to take the
spot
kick which Schwarzer saved down to his left, but he couldn't keep hold
of
the ball and Okocha blasted in the rebound.
Boro responded brightly and nice interplay between Hasselbaink, Viduka
and
Rochemback carved an opening for to extend the Boro lead, but Jaaskelainen
saved
Rochemback's fearsome shot.
The scores were level with ten minutes to
go
when a well worked corner found an unmarked Jaidi and he headed home with
a
powerful header. Questions must be asked of the Boro defence who were
very
slow at clearing their lines.
It was a very physical and competitive game and this was epitomised
moments
from time when Davies elbowed Pogo as they challenged for a aerial
ball.
This drew blood from the Boro defender and he was certainly
enraged.
Amazing the referee had nothing to say on the matter.
Boro got their
just
deserves in the dying moments. Mark Viduka played in Yakubu, who found
yards
of space down the left and played a delicious ball across goal for
Parnaby
to slot home in front of the new Holgate. Delirium!
The game pitted together two hot tips for the England hot
seat,
but both manager have totally different styles of play. Steve
Mc's
Boro played neat attacking football with good interplay, while Allardyce
prefers the up and under approach. While I have no doubt in it's effectiveness,
it's
certainly not the style you want the national side to adopt. Personally
I
know who I'd prefer as the next England manager, but for purely
Middlesbrough reasons I hope McClaren stays at Boro for the foreseeable
future.
It was a very precious three points which surely puts to bed any lingering
worries of being dragged back into a relegation dogfight. We're now only
one
win away from the elusive fourty point barrier and reaching this will surely
convince any pessimist that Championship football will not be at the
Riverside next season.
The buzz is very much still there. This could well end up being the best
season ever and I'm sure all but four premier league teams would gladly
trade
places with us right now. One thing is for sure, there's never a dull
moment
following the Boro.
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE NEW HOLGATE MESSAGE BOARD
BACK TO BRIGGSY INDEX
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