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THE ROCKLIFFE FILES - EUELL DO FOR KNOW 5-9-06
Toby Higgins
Goodness gracious me. Unless you want to put many regular readers off for life, don't ever attempt to write a good, flowing, solid article just an hour after watching one of the worst performances from a Boro team you've ever seen in your life. The result of doing so can be seen in last week's article. It was careless and poorly planned, and frankly, it mirrored last week's performance.
And while the taste of defeat still lingers in the mouth like the taste of cigarettes the morning after a heavy night on the town, the flavour is, albeit slowly, beginning to change. Hopefully from now on, the sweet taste of success is going to be back on the menu.
International games are often cause for frustration amongst fans of the domestic game, particularly those dreaded friendlies. And while this time the purpose of the break in Premier League fixtures is Euro 2008 qualifying, it probably couldn't have come at a worse time.
The ideal remedy for a thrashing is a nice quick return to action. Waiting eleven days between games means that the result can't be put to bed quickly and so for the time being, the pain remains.
But Gareth Southgate was a busy man in finding an antidote during the last few days of the transfer window, and he, as we all do, hope that Huth, Woodgate and Euell will provide the cure to all of our ailments.
Now, more so than ever, the psychology involved in football plays a huge part in determining the success enjoyed by a team. For example, had we lost 4-0 to Chelsea and beaten Portsmouth 2-1, instead of the other way around, we would be in no better position mathematically than we are now, but you can be sure the mood around Teesside would be rather different to the disappointment and worry that's being voiced by many.
As fans, we need something to cling onto, a light at the end of the tunnel, something to be optimistic about, simply to keep morale high and hope alive. Psychologically, the signings of Robert Huth and Jonathan Woodgate are huge, whether either of them plays immediately or not. These signings are what we needed as a team, but just as importantly, as fans, to reassure us that the future is a bright one.
While neither player has been playing regularly for the past two seasons, they should surely arrive with a point to prove, to their previous, more glamorous employers who deemed them surplus to requirements, for this season at least, and to us, the club who have taken them on, and given them the opportunity to rebuild careers that were threatening to stop short of reaching their fullest potential.
No doubt, these are both players with unbelievable talent. While Huth only played one full game during last summer's World Cup, just to be in a squad in possession of such quality speaks volumes of his ability, and many still believe that a fully fit Woodgate is the best defender England have got.
Keeping them both fit will be the real test. Huth has arrived in a condition which renders him unavailable for selection, which begs questions how did he manage to pass this medical and yet fail his first one several weeks ago? It should still be much easier to keep him fit than it will Woodgate. If I had a mortgage, I would place it on one huge bet, that Woodgate won't get through ninety minutes against the Arsenal on Saturday. In fact, I'll be very surprised if he gets to half-time.
Another player who hasn't been playing regularly over the last few years is our third new signing, Jason Euell. While it's hardly a head turning signing, neither was Doriva, and yet he went on to notch up over 100 games for Boro, including starting the Carling Cup final.
Whether or not Euell will make the first team remains to be seen, and, if he does, in what capacity will it be? Suggestions that he will be used as a right winger are surely wide of the mark. Why buy a fairly experienced player, and then play him out of position?remains to be seen
Expect Euell to become a good solid squad player who will hopefully score a few goals from midfield to take the pressure off the forwards. While not a long term signing, Jason, Euell do for now.
And so where else to try and bounce back from a heavy home humbling than a trip to Arsenal and their new ground? Though many have tried to erase the memory of last January, Arsenal won't have forgotten and the 7-0 scoreline is surely one that they will be looking to for inspiration as they themselves attempt to put a shaky start to the season behind them.
We might just need a miracle in London on Saturday afternoon, and maybe the stage is set. After all, with his long, tramp like hair, Jonny 'Jesus' Woodgate could yet hold the magic touch that will confirm his status as our knight in shining armour.
And even if he isn't a saviour sent by God to turn our season around, let's just hope he has a better debut for us than he did for Real Madrid, where he scored an own goal before being sent off for two bookable offences.
We'll soon find out.
Same time next week.
Up the Boro
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