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DARING TO DREAM 31-1-07
Toby Higgins
Regular readers will know that, no matter what, the Rockcliffe Files strives to get at least one or two statistics in each and every article. Normally it's to back up or condemn an argument, and occasionally, it's just for the hell of it.
This week though, in what could be the final Rockcliffe File for some time, providing the killer statistic looks to be beyond the realms of possibility (at 12:05am on a Wednesday morning anyway).
While the internet may have blessed our lives in many ways, it's is certainly not without it's flaws. I know that the statistic I crave is findable, but from where I sit right now, it's out of reach. And it's certainly not the kind of statistic you should just know.
So, I'll throw the question that the internet cannot provide a sufficient answer for, out there for you to contemplate yourselves. When was the last time Boro went unbeaten in January?
I'll be brave and guess that it's not in my lifetime. In the ten years I've spent following the Boro, there is an unwritten rule that reads as follows; Boro are shite from Boxing Day until sometime towards the end of February. It's probably been happening for considerably longer than my mere ten years, too.
Books and programmes will give us the answer, and no doubt, the actual number of years will be mentioned in the build up to Century FM's commentary next weekend, but at the time of writing, I can only imagine how many tens of years it's been.
2007 has thus far started in total contrast to the way 2006 ended. It's come as somewhat of a surprise because of said unwritten rule, but here we are, SEVEN games into the new year, having not lost a single one.
There are various possible explanations as to why such a phenomena (and I don't use the word lightly) should have blessed us at this time.
Injuries. Or a lack of them. Gareth Southgate has had pretty much a full strength squad to pick from for most of the games since the turn of the year, and it's helped to bring consistency (my favourite Boro related word) to the side.
This leads us into the next explanation. Having given pretty much everyone a chance to have a go in the first team, much like Steve McClaren did in his first year in charge, Southgate has ditched those deemed surplus to first team requirements. And not a moment too soon.
Never again will names like Ehiogu, Parlour, Mendieta and Maccarone appear in the famous red shirt of Teesside. All leave with firm hand shake, a pat on the back and a sincere 'thanks a lot', some maybe more than others, but each have played their part in Boro's unprecedented success over the last three years, and for that we are grateful. Or at least, we should be.
Massimo Maccarone will always be remembered by Boro fans as the hero he is. In five, ten, fifteen or even twenty years time, when his name is brought up, as it undeniably will be, the memories of those nights at the Riverside will come flooding back, and you won't be able to help but smile. Good luck in the future Massimo, and thanks for the memories.
Because Southgate has finally pinned down a squad of some 18-20 players whom he considers worthy of first team consideration, it means that the first team is fairly well set. Injuries withstanding, our first eleven currently picks itself, which, despite this being a cliché associated with negativity, it's actually a good thing, because the players are there on merit.
Against Arsenal on Saturday, assuming there are no injuries the team will be Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu. And not many will argue.
It would also now appear that the any 'misunderstandings' that may have occurred between manager and players have now been resolved. It was Mark Schwarzer who came out and admitted that there were problems. In fact, the following quotes from Schwarzer are almost laughable.
"We sat down a few weeks ago and Gareth said to the players, 'What do you think we need to do to turn things around?' We basically said we want the freedom to go out and play. There had been a communication breakdown as that's exactly what Gareth wanted us to do".
And the foreign coaches have problems getting the message across to players. Goodness me, what exactly have they been doing in training since August?! Clearly, not talking about tactics.
The departure of Steve Round and the promotion of Colin Cooper appears to have made a visable impact on the club's fortunes. Whether or not Round was responsible for the negative tactics will remain speculation, but it's clear from just watching (and hearing) Cooper's approach on the touchline that he is very much the brawn behind Southgate's brains.
Cooper looks the kind of coach who will grab hold of a few players and give them a shake if needs be; just like during his playing days.
The next four games will certainly be the real sign of how far Southgate's army have come since August. Arsenal (home), Chelsea (away), Reading (home) and Newcastle (away) make up a tough run of games, but is taking seven points from the twelve available really an unrealistic target?
That, coupled with some positive results against Bristol, and then Tony Mowbray's West Bromwich Albion, could potentially mean that come March, we are still on for a Cup final, and a top ten finish.
And why not, I say. If Southgate and Cooper can help us finish the season in a respectable league position, it'll be mission accomplished. We don't, or at least, shouldn't, expect Europe and cup finals; particularly not in the first season of what is a new regime. But why couldn't it happen? I know I'm daring to dream.
As was hinted at earlier, this could be the last Rockcliffe Files for a while, due to a re-shuffle of writers at COB towers.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully, the Rockcliffe Files will be back very soon.
Up the Boro.
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