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THE ROCKLIFFE FILES - JUDGEMENT DAY 15-8-06
Toby Higgins
Judgement day - noun: (New Testament) day of the Last Judgement when God will decree the fates of all men according to the good and evil of their earthly lives.
OK, so maybe God won't 'decree the fate' of Gareth Southgate on Saturday, and you can be fairly confident that Saturday won't be the 'Last Jugdement' of the new gaffer, rather, the first.
And as this writer scratches his head furiously while pondering why he even contemplated working this fairly inaccurate depiction of Southgate's debut game in charge into this week's article, one irremovable factor steers his thoughts back on track. Judgement day is almost upon us, and Teesside expects. At least, it should.
But the overriding impression and mood of most fans during the long, arduous pre-season weeks has been one of subdued resignation. The words 'mid-table', 'tepid' and 'mediocre' have been used all too frequently in the build up to Southgate's inaugural campaign, and you only have to look as far as the ComeOnBoro.com writers predictions for the proof.
The reasons for such negative forecasting are fairly obvious. Put simply, without a third European adventure to look forward to and with the loss of some key players in key areas the squad just doesn't look the same giant killing, odds defying force that it was just five and six months ago. There are also a percentage of Boro fans who feel just a little disappointed with the appointment of Southgate as manager.
Added to that is the fact that, given our atrocious pre-season form, and the distinct lack of goals that has accompanied this poor run, we as fans haven't been given anything to get excited about. The one thing that is guaranteed to excite fans in pre-season more than anything is, of course, signings.
.of which we have currently made a dubious two. It's true that I actually had to research our first signing in order to first of all learn his name, and then include it in this article. Apparently, it's 18 year-old Herold Goulon, who is a 'tall defensive midfielder with good technical ability'. Make your own mind up on whether or not you consider a player for whom Ron Bone has 'high hopes of eventually progressing into the first team' can actually be considered a proper signing.
Our other/only (delete as applicable) signing is Sunderland's former defender Julio Arca. In a desperate attempt to avoid repeating the same claim made by every other Boro fan when discussing Arca, this writer will intentionally fall short of suggesting that Arca has his work cut out to replace Franck Queudrue as a player and crowd favourite, and will instead suggest that Arca wear the number 45 shirt this season, so fans can sing 'Julio Arca's number, forty-five', to the tune of Brimful of Asha.
Having set out with a clear idea of what he wanted, and having seen the world's best perform in Germany, Southgate has been blocked at every turn in the attempt to increase the squads depth, and, maybe more importantly, it's quality.
It's somewhat disillusioning for fans though, to see players like Rodolph Douala and Oguchi Onyewu turn us down because of contractual problems, and Steed Malbranque, who is frankly rubbish, not even want to talk to us.
These failures have led us perilously close to signing both Brett Emerton and Sylvain Distin, and both transfers are expected to be completed in the next few days. Despite not having seen enough of either player to give accurate comments on their abilities, neither has set the Premiership alight in recent seasons and from where this writer is sitting the words 'panic' and 'buying' could explain their capture, especially with the Premiership season just five days away.
.a season which begins at Reading. Starting against a newly promoted side is the reason for the invention of the phrase, 'a no win situation'. Reading are a side with no Premiership experience, and are expected to sink straight to back down to the Championship come next May, which makes our task even more tricky. Anyone remember Middlesbrough 0 Bradford City 1 at the start of the 1999/2000 season?
As at the start of every season, the aim of the game on day one is to avoid defeat, which we have successfully done in the last three seasons. Considering that the next three games after Reading are Chelsea at home, Portsmouth ('the new Chelsea') at home and then a trip to Arsenal, it's going to be important to get a point on the board straight away, and avoid the same catastrophic start to his first season that our former manager had, where we lost all four opening games.
After the highs of last season, it's ultimately hard to see how this year can live up to it - thus the sombre nature of Teesside currently. The chances are, the 05/06 season won't be repeated in the 06/07 season, or any of the next ten seasons. But then again, I'm sure that's what people said after Boro stuck four past Basel, and we all know what happened next. It's the beauty of supporting the Boro. Just when you think you've got them sussed, they go and surprise you again.
Let's hope that come Judgement Day this weekend, Gareth Southgate's Red 'n' White army come out fighting and make a first impression that will stand us in good stead for another successful season, and turn a few of those frowns upside down.
So, climb aboard, buckle up and make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times. The Riverside Roller Coaster is set to start once more.
Same time next week.
Up The Boro
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