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ANOTHER EUROPEAN TOUR 23-1-07
Toby Higgins
The name of this column might as well change to Yak watch. After all, every week for the last three, the Rockcliffe Files has given some reaction to the Nigerian striker's performances, and this week is no different.
After somewhat boldly announcing that the 'Yakubu problem' was solved last week, his series of missed chances against Bolton over the weekend suggest that maybe Yakubu is the clumsy misfit some accuse him of being after all?
His total of zero goals in a game where his team ran riot is a record Andrei Shevchenko would be proud of. It's probably best not to pass judgement on Yakubu, in the hope that next week, he's back to his spectacular best. Yak watch - over and out.
Instead, the focus this week lies elsewhere. There were several key performers in Saturday's mauling of the 2004 Carling Cup runners up, none than England's own, Stewart Downing. It's he who stole the Sunday morning headlines, and rightly so, after scoring one and assisting three. Abel Xavier has also come out of the game with a huge chunk of credit, along with Mark Viduka, Jonathon Woodgate and George Boateng.
But there's one player who's quietly going about his job, scoring the odd crucial goal, giving much needed balance to the side and winning over a few fans in the process. Of course, it's Julio Arca.
There can be no qualms about it; Arca was signed as a left sided player. He started the season at left back, but after an awkward opening fourty-five minutes of the season against Reading, he was withdrawn, albeit due to injury, and it looked as though, once again, Boro had bought a 'bad' un'.
But, once his injury had healed, Arca returned to the side as a central midfielder to great effect. Recent goals against Charlton, both home and away, have been vital as the club have moved gracefully away from the drop zone.
There is, and always has been, something a little bit special about left footed players. They appear, as a species, to be able to do more with their left foot than right footed players can with there right. As for a left footed central midfielder - they are a real rarity.
Now, I'm sure you can see where this is going. Who was the last left footed, left sided midfielder to move infield and play alongside George Boateng?
The similarities between Bolo Zenden and Arca are not hard to fathom. Both players work hard, are not as afraid to put their foot in as they're accused of being, and both have a sweet left foot and keen eye for goal. The balance of having a 'lefty' next to Boateng seems to suit the Dutchman, who has found it difficult to work alongside right footed colleagues like Fabio Rochemback, Gaizka Mendieta and Lee Cattermole in recent years.
Obviously, it's more than just the fact Arca's left footed which means he works well with Boateng, and the team as a whole. He, like Zenden, has a willingness to run beyond the strikers, something which has inspired others to try and get beyond the ball more in recent games, which allows for a more fast paced, dynamic style of play, and which has resulted in sixteen goals in the first five games of 2007, a stark contrast to the five scored in the last five games of 2006.
Whether or not he knew he was signing a central midfield playmaker when he signed Arca, Southgate certainly deserves a huge amount of credit for spotting the potential of the player, who, over time, could well become the driving force behind our midfield. It's too early to tell whether Arca is the solution in the long term, but for the moment, it's seem Arca's the answer.
Southgate deserves praise, period. The way he's turned around a failing side has been impressive to say the least, and, with Boro creeping into the top half at the weekend, Southgate is probably just three wins away from keeping us up in his first year in the Premiership.
It's stunning what a difference a few wins make. We now sit ten points clear of the drop and while it would be foolish to think we are safe, a continuation of this form means a top half finish looks on the cards, and maybe, just maybe, we can sneak back into Europe.
It sounds daft; it probably is. But quite honestly, we should not lose at home again this season. Arsenal, Reading, Manchester City, Watford, Aston Villa, Spurs and Fulham have all got to come to the Riverside, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we can go unbeaten until May.
Portsmouth, who are having their best season for years, are only seven points better off than us; why not aim for another European Tour?
As previously mentioned, Stewart Downing stole the headlines with his blockbuster display against Bolton, which included a stunning right footed strike from twenty-five yards. Frankly, Downing was due a goal, having not scored since the first day of the season at Reading, but the performance clearly came as a huge relief to the fans, and himself.
It's impossible to produce world class performances every week. Even Cristiano Ronaldo has the odd off day. For the most part of this season, Downing has carried the attacking responsibility of the entire team alone, but now, with Arca and co. chipping in, Downing is more at ease to play with a little more freedom. As long as the fans stay off his back, he can produce the kind of form that saw him earn a World Cup place.
If Downing's hat trick of assists, and Viduka's brace are the sign of things to come, in both the league and the F.A. Cup, then this year could yet be one of the best in recent memory.
Boro to finish seventh and play in the first ever F.A. Cup final in the new Wembley?
Watch this space.
Same time next week.
Up the Boro
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